WHEREAS, The Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision is continually under attack and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, such that American women are in danger of losing control over their reproductive lives; and
WHEREAS, it is prudent to plan for the eventual overturn of Roe vs. Wade in a manner that suffices should the verdict stand, since the economic impact of bearing and raising a child in the US is typically over $200,000, not including college tuition or major medical expenses; and
WHEREAS, both partners are equally involved in the reproductive act that produces a fertilized human egg which is composed of precisely equal amounts of DNA from each of them, and which of fairness ought to result in equal responsibility between them;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the people of this State call for new legislation to hold male parents equally accountable for the economic consequences of their reproductive actions:
A. When a man impregnates a woman under any circumstance, he shall be liable for 50% of any and all expenses incurred as a result of bearing and raising the resulting child, including prenatal care and delivery; food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, and recreation; and all other provisions made for the child until age 25 or the completion of a college degree, whichever occurs first.
B. In the event that the male parent does not reside with or contribute economically to the household in which his child lives, his payments will be automatically deducted from any wages or benefits he receives and directly deposited into an account held in trust for the child by the mother or legal guardian.
C. If the male parent is unable to make these payments, he may supplement his contributions with household labor and/or childcare, subject to the expressed approval of the mother or legal guardian.
D. All unpaid debts shall accrue interest at the rate of 10% compounded yearly.
E. There shall be no limitations of time on the debt, which shall be paid through wage garnishment regardless of the age of the child.
When I did clinic defense in the mid-90s, the majority of women coming in were MARRIED, not teen girls in “trouble.” No one knows better the economic impact of a child moreso than a parent.
Until men can get pregnant, this is the only way we can old them accountable or make them think twice about unprotected sex.
In this country you typically have to take a man to court to get him to pay for his child’s needs. This is an antiquated and sexist approach to a real problem. The Paternal Accountability Act is a pragmatic solution.