Yes, I wasn't particularly disagreeing with what you wrote. However, again, when you say "Women can be just as irresponsible as men," I feel the urge to point out that NO, unless it's rape, women are as irresponsible as men where kids are born out-of-wedlock (and often as not, in wedlock, when such women aren't committed enough to work through marital problems -- if they're that prone to wanting a divorce from a faithful, non-abusive, but "unfulfilling" husband so they can "find themselves," they shouldn't have gotten married and had kids in the first place).
It's amazing how our society is so quick to stigmatize (and rightly) men who flake-out on their child support duties, but refrains entirely on stigmatizing unmarried women who knowingly risk having children when there are no reliable providers in place. The truth is that such women are heroes only when they have the kids and allow them to be adopted by parents who are mature enough and committed enough to provide for them; otherwise, they're just as irresponsible as the fathers. Our society at present ignores that half of the equation.
Finny, ALL parents have a responsibility to care and provide for their children. Courts recognize low income wages and set the amount of support proportionately. Social Service agencies take this into consideration when rendering financial assistance.
There is NO excuse for any parent to shirk the responsibility of their children, including leaving the country to avoid their responsibilities.
First and foremost is the protection of the child, who has no voice and no choice and didn't ask for the situation in which they have been placed.
Isn't it time adults acted like adults so children can be children? Isn't it time adults stopped thinking about themselves and started thinking about the other lives they are responsible for creating?
I am so tired of Democrat apologists for not assuming personal responsibility. It is a value that every American should have, rather than the continous rationalizations for NOT being responsible.
Don't forget, the "state" is a reliable provider, always in place. A disgrace. Many young women now want children but don't want men. They're not lesbians but they're sure as heck filled to the brim of their meager minds with lesbian "men-are-the-enemy" propaganda. Fortunately, there's a backlash afoot, and good men are finally taking a stand, no longer willing to be the accused bad guys without defending themselves. Books are being written about the raw deal men get, groups being formed.
Really, it's almost a Republican/Democrat split.....with responsible guys with jobs and love for their families on the right side of the issue and Oprahized women on the left.