If she applies for State benefits, she will have no choice. The Texas AG will file a lawsuit against him to establish paternity and get court ordered child support. They don't need her permission. In my opinion he should be in jail for statutory rape. The Texas AG is required by law to refer these types of cases to the local District Attorney if the mother was a minor when impregnated. Most DAs don't want to prosecute these cases b/c the women won't cooperate. Another problem with these cases is that these young mothers are showered with gifts and attention, probably for the first time in their lives. It makes them feel special and only encourages them to have more children. I don't feel they should be given a scarlet letter, but throwing them a party is the wrong thing to do.
I don't feel they should be given a scarlet letter, but throwing them a party is the wrong thing to do.
I don't either, and I sincerely doubt that she feels life is one big party at this point. Even the most naive woman eventually gets the message. It's a matter of when.
My point is that we mainly focus mainly on the women, and far too many of the men simply don't feel the weight of their responsibility until years later.
The process should start prenatally, and have lots of teeth, imo. We also need to do a lot more educating about consequences to the male then we are. Again, my opinion.
As an aside: sinkspur, thanks for starting a great thread !