How often are the Dads prosecuted?

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 16, 2004

in my experience, it's rare.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jun 16, 2004

This is only a guess based on what I've seen in the past, that either

A. the young mothers come from a family pattern of this, and no one bothers to make the fathers come forward and pay, either by jail time or money, or

B. the parents of the young mother are so horrified and upset by what happened that if the guy disappears, that's one less thing to deal with and they just want him (as the "perpetrator" and reminder) to be gone and out of her life forever. They'd rather either keep the child and not have to deal with him, which I've seen quite a bit of, or else give the child up and then if he's gone and doesn't come back, out of sight, out of mind.

Just some guesses, like I said.

fergus51 · Jun 16, 2004

I have never seen a case where the father of the baby was prosecuted.

mstewart · Jun 16, 2004

I went to high school with a girl who got prego when she was 16 and her boyfriend was 15 (he was 16 when they had the baby). I believe she had to go to court and they ordered that she had to go to some sort of class-kind of like AA-I can't remember what it was called-but it was like a stataotry rape thing. I was really suprised that the county was so on top of that.

kids · Jun 16, 2004

My observation as a 16yo who had a baby with a 19yo AND the parent of teenagers who have known several girls who got pregnant:

Many States have changed the statutory rape requirements, doing away with a specific "age of consent" and now base whether or not charges are filed on the ages difference of the kids. Plus, unless the pregnancy is "brought to the attention" of the authorities nothing will be done.

The fathers of these babies will probably pay eventually. If the girl ends up on Welfare the State will persue paternity testing and will file a support claim against the father.

(In WA the statute of limitations on back child support is 20 years afterthe child turns 18)

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jun 16, 2004

In all my years, I have only seen one case go to court.

Angela Mac · Jun 16, 2004

you have touched on one of my biggest fears. If my daughter were in a situation such as this, I would go after the man involved- tooth and nail......The only way justice is served, is if the parents of the pregnant teens get involved. I know where my daughter is all the time and proud of it...

rnmi2004 · Jun 16, 2004

I'm not sure what they do around here about prosecuting for statutory rape, but I think it is a good idea. These adult men that take advantage of young girls need to be punished.

In my state (Michigan) they were considering a bill allowing a teenage mom to go after the teenage father's parents for child support. The reasoning is that in many cases, the financial burden of raising the teen's baby falls on her parents, so if the teen father will not or can not pay child support then his parents will be held responsible. I don't know if this bill ever passed.

Destinystar · Jun 16, 2004

If the child was supervised appropriatly in the first place an opportunity would not exist. The parents are responsible for supervising their children. Do you ever see the childs parents going to jail for neglect and lack of superision???? Often times these kids will not reveal the name of the fathers of their babies and cannot be forced to do so. Often times the fathers are just kids themselves or worse yet the girl has had sex with so many different men that it is hard to figure out. In some states if a female is pregnant she can become emancipated. Often the police are contacted but unable to locate the guy the girl had sex with because she didnt know his name, they guy didnt live around the area or she was drunk or high on weed or something. It is not as simple as you think. If the girl reveals the dads name and if her or her parents call the police and if the police can locate the guy and prove he did it and if the girl is willing to testify YES something will more than likely be done about it. SAD SAD situation for all involved. As far as child support is concerned the father has to have a steady job so his wages have to be attached. Have to know the guys name, social security number, etc. Most of these kids and their familys dont want to involve the guy on purpose in fear he might have contact with the child. LOTS OF COMPLICATIONS. :uhoh3:

It is not uncommon in two of our inner city hospitals to see Moms that are 14 or 15, and it isn't rare to have them at 13 or even 12. I would say that at least 75% of the Dads are 18 or over (that's an observation, not a statistic). Yet only once in a while is he in jail for statutory rape, or for that matter under court order to provide support. Why is that? I would have to say that more of the men who've impregnated the 12 year olds (who were only 11 upon becoming pregnant in many cases) are in jail, but even if you're 18, it is pretty disgusting to be having sex with a 14 year old. I don't understand why we as a society carry on about all the financial costs of provding support for these young families but don't bring all the pressure the law has to bear on the young men to face the consequences of their actions. (Of course, I also don't understand why the government doesn't come down harder on dead beat parents of both genders and all ages, either, but that's for another thread.........)

LydiaNN · Jun 16, 2004

Oh well.... never mind.

smk1, LPN · Jun 16, 2004

It is not uncommon in two of our inner city hospitals to see Moms that are 14 or 15, and it isn't rare to have them at 13 or even 12. I would say that at least 75% of the Dads are 18 or over (that's an observation, not a statistic). Yet only once in a while is he in jail for statutory rape, or for that matter under court order to provide support. Why is that? I would have to say that more of the men who've impregnated the 12 year olds (who were only 11 upon becoming pregnant in many cases) are in jail, but even if you're 18, it is pretty disgusting to be having sex with a 14 year old. I don't understand why we as a society carry on about all the financial costs of provding support for these young families but don't bring all the pressure the law has to bear on the young men to face the consequences of their actions. (Of course, I also don't understand why the government doesn't come down harder on dead beat parents of both genders and all ages, either, but that's for another thread.........)

i think sometimes with the 14 or 15 yr old with an 18 yr old boyfriend, some parents are reluctant to prosecute because they are boyfriend and girlfriend and in school together. (doesn't make it right...) I think the perception is that these are still both "school-age" kids and the whole statutory thing isn't even thought about when you are a sophmore and your boyfriend is a senior. Since there is a law against it though. it really is another reason for parents to sit down and talk to their kids about the responsibility of sex and the possible repercussions. :uhoh21: