I was bailing out of this thread but what the heck.

Anti said "I bet you knew when you weren't "protected" though, didn't you?"

You are the one that raised the issue of fertility - I simply responded.

Yes to answer your question, I imagine most participants in the sex act would know if they were protected or not except in the case of rape if one was drugged or paraletic. I don't participate in casual sex, never have - I prefer to feel something for my partner. Not that there is anything wrong with casual sex if it suits you (I feel like Seinfeld).

This thread is becoming typical of the usual gender issues - basically no-one wants to take responsibility and even those who normally denigrate government welfare and interference are quite happy for others to pick up the tab for their one night stands.

I am not unsympathetic to the man's position and to the men who end up paying CS for children that turn out not to be his, nor to a woman who finds herself pregnant and having to go it alone. I reckon if the man has done a bunk on responsiblity then the child is probably better off without him.

Thankfully most people do the responsible thing. Just goes to show we should all think carefully about the consequences of our actions.

Dear Antiseptic,

It seems that you really aren't reading
some of the posts on this thread. Taking
responsibility for your own actions has
been repeated over and over again.
Re-read what Pelican, Severin, myself,
and others, are actually saying.

As for who's going to look after us in
our old age? Are you seriously expecting
to burden your children with that
responsibility? That's extremely selfish
of you, and it's not something that would
have even occurred to many of us. I, like many
others, intend to plan for my old age - and
my retirement, and to ensure that I'm not a
burden to anyone. I'm surprised that you
would suggest anything else.

My wish for my children, and
your children, and other children,
is that they have the freedom to make their
own choices in life and that they be happy
in those choices. Also, that they will always
feel loved and safe.

It would be great if the world was a bit slower
for our next generation and that they had
cracked the nut of better work and life balance.
We need to redefine our definition of "success."
Not all people, including me, define themselves
through their careers - we need to create a society
where all choices are respected. Finally,
my advice to the next generation
would be to respect themselves,
and care about others and the world around them.

I'm now pulling out of this thread.
Thanks to everyone for your responses.
Perhaps Anti can start a new thread on either
"Men's Rights," or "Women's Rights," and call it
"Freedom of Choice?"

Anti

I recall you complaining on another thread that your son had been 'brainwashed' by your ex and was too afraid to see you. I am pleased to know that you have worked things out.

As for who will care for me in my dotage? Dunno. Am doing what I can and I come from a line of very astute and long-lived people - no history of dementia.

However, I do know that having children doesn't guarantee that the 'old man' will be cared for in his frail old-age.

I wish you luck.

Foxy, Suze et al, see you all on another thread. Have a wonderful weekend.

Severin:"
I recall you complaining on another thread that your son had been 'brainwashed' by your ex and was too afraid to see you"

then you recall incorrectly. some years ago my son was forced, by his mother, wfo was standing beside him, but just out of sight of me, to stand behind a locked screen door while I put his birthday present on the lamding and tell me "I can't open the door Daddy, becasue Mum says you might hurt me". That was at the height of her campaign to achieve sole custody, at which you might recall she was spectacularly unsuccessful, with the final decision being to increase my share of the custody to 5 days a fortnight from 4 and moving to equally-shared care from there.

You see dear, no matter how you like to try to paint me as some kind of monster, the fact remains that I am a father who my kids love deeply and you remain a bitter, childless crone, who blames men for a situation that you have engineered for yourself. Sad, but your problem. It's a shame you can't get over it, for your own sake.

Foxy, you have a very narrow view. Every old person, whether they are in care or living in their home, requires some support to live well. I ahve no doubt that I will end up in some form of care facility at some stage and when i do someone's kids will be looking after me. People like you and I have helped to make that possible for people like Severin to have that assistance available. We have spent a great deal of our own resources on that investment in the future, whilce Severin has spent all her resources on herself. Why should she get a free ride?

Dear Anti,

Are you for real?

Nobody gets a "free ride," as you put it.

People pay dearly for staff to look after them
in Aged Care Facilities. They end up selling
their family homes to be able to afford
Aged Care. A "Free-Ride,"
doesn't come into the picture. You need
to look into the costs involved of these places.
And you seriously need to have a re-think about
the burdens your children will have to face
unless you provide for yourself in your old
age, (for your funeral as well),
as any responsible person will do.

Antiseptic wrote in his post above to me, the following:

>> You see dear, no matter how you like to try to paint me as some kind of monster, the fact remains that I am a father who my kids love deeply and you remain a bitter, childless crone, who blames men for a situation that you have engineered for yourself. Sad, but your problem. It's a shame you can't get over it, for your own sake. <<

Anti, a question or few.

Now that you have released that festering piece of vitriol from your system, are you feeling any better?

Are you more compassionate?

Tolerant?

Understanding?

Empathic?

Even more considerate?

I hope so.