An Oklahoma legislator is pushing for a controversial bill that would require women to obtain consent from their male partners before undergoing an abortion. This proposed legislation, introduced by State Representative Mark Thompson, mandates that women seeking an abortion disclose the identity of the father, who would then have the right to demand a paternity test—one that the woman would be responsible for funding.
The bill, known as House Bill 1441, raises serious concerns about women’s autonomy and safety. Thompson even referred to women as “hosts” during discussions about the bill, which is both derogatory and reductive. The bill states:
“An Act relating to public health and safety; prohibiting abortion to be performed without consent of the father; requiring pregnant woman seeking to abort pregnancy to provide identity of father; allowing identified person to demand paternity test; providing certain exceptions; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.”
Key Excerpts from the Bill
- A. No abortion shall be performed in this state without the written informed consent of the father of the fetus.
- B. A pregnant woman seeking to abort her pregnancy shall be required to provide, in writing, the identity of the father of the fetus to the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion. If the person identified as the father of the fetus challenges the fact that he is the father, such individual may demand that a paternity test be performed.
Let’s break this down. How exactly would enforcement work? Would a woman arrive at the clinic with a piece of paper confirming the father’s identity? Would it need to be notarized? And if the father disputes his paternity, he could insist on a costly paternity test, forcing the woman to navigate this stressful situation while potentially facing significant delays. What if the father is unknown, or worse, if revealing his identity could put the woman in danger due to an abusive relationship?
This bill sends a disheartening message: women are merely vessels for reproduction, stripped of their agency and voice. The exceptions outlined in the bill do little to alleviate these concerns. For instance, if a woman’s partner has passed away, she must provide a notarized affidavit to confirm this—adding an unnecessary layer of trauma to an already difficult situation. And in cases of rape or incest, the stipulation that a woman must prove the circumstance to be exempt from the bill’s requirements is equally troubling.
Thompson has attempted to justify his stance, claiming that men are excluded from decisions surrounding pregnancy. He stated, “I feel like it is a separate—what I call them is, is you’re a ‘host.’” This perspective is not only dehumanizing but ignores the complexities of reproductive health.
If lawmakers genuinely wish to reduce the number of abortions, they should focus on promoting accessible, effective birth control options and supporting families facing financial hardships—like the staggering $100 billion in unpaid child support. Instead of imposing restrictions on women’s choices, let’s advocate for their rights and well-being.
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In summary, the proposed legislation by Representative Mark Thompson raises critical issues about women’s rights, autonomy, and the potential consequences of such laws. The focus should be on empowering women rather than further restricting their choices.