The polarizing abortion debate in the United States is primarily centered on the inability of political parties to reach a consensus on the scope of rights guaranteed to both mother and fetus. With the vast majority of Conservatives strictly against the legality of the procedure, and most Liberals advocating for woman's reproductive rights, it has often times turned into a contentious argument with the ability to determine the outcome of close elections.

When violence erupts around abortion clinics, the perpetrators are typically right-wing extremists on a "righteous" crusade; however, in Columbus, Ohio, a father of six proved the exception to the rule.

On supervised release after serving 20 months in federal prison stemming from a 2007 drug conviction, Dominic Holt-Reid pled not guilty to an attempted murder charge after authorities accused him of trying to force his girlfriend at gunpoint to have an abortion.

Waiting until they dropped their 5 year old child at school, Holt-Reid reached into the glove compartment of the car and aimed a loaded .45 caliber handgun at girlfriend Yolanda Burgess because she refused to go through with a scheduled abortion on October 6^th. Forced to enter the clinic, she was able to slip a note to an employee and escaped the ordeal physically unscathed.

Holt-Reid entered the not guilty plea in Franklin County Common Pleas Court and was ordered held on $350,000 bond.

I, by absolutely no means, condone violence against women, suggested or otherwise. The very fact that he made his girlfriend, the mother of his children -- both born and unborn -- fear for her life at gunpoint, is enough to send him right back to prison for a very long time.

However, let's ask the tough question: In the reproductive rights debate that has so ignited the emotions of concerned citizens in this country... when do we discuss the rights of the father?

Here we have a young African-American man attending school full-time at Columbus State Community College, taking classes on heating and air conditioning. He has been recently released from prison and is attempting to further his education and provide for his six children.

While not excusing his desperate act of violence and selfish lack of accountability, one must consider the barren landscape of the world for a black ex-convict. With career opportunities scarce, financial assistance rare, and the unavoidable stigma of prison following them for the rest of their lives, it is not a far leap to assume that he felt it would be extremely difficult to provide for another child.

He would be correct.

With health care sky high, education budgets cut, and social programs on the edge of extinction, it is difficult for even the most well-adjusted of us to successfully maintain a household.

The Madonna/Whore Complex which inundates our society typically places both accolades and accountability squarely on the shoulders of the mother. However, just because the womb is where the fetus develops, the rights of the father must be just as protected. To not do so undermines his position as a father, and leaves his future responsibility in question. With the accepted attitude of "mother's baby; father's maybe" prevalent in this country, women must take responsibility for whom they share their bodies with and the possible consequences of doing so.

This situation did not manifest at gunpoint, but in the bedroom. Society is prone to castigate deadbeat fathers and highlight the plight of single mothers while giving no attention to the men who slave to provide a life for their children. Shouldn't those men have an equal say as to when those children are brought into the world?

When a mother decides that abortion is her only option, with or without the father's consent, she is legally able to do so. I have seen fathers heartbroken over their significant other's decision. However, the percentage of men who neglect their responsiblity is much higher. Choosing instead to assert their reproductive freedom and disappear, absentee fathers contribute to some startling statistics:

• 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
• 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
• 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes
• 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes
• 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
• 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes
• 70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes.
• 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes.

The lack of male guidance has proven detrimental to many youth in this country, and men must be held equally accountable for pregnancy. There are no excuses. However, while pro-choice legislation makes the rights of the mother clear, at what point is a father able to say, "I do not want this child."?

Is it when Child Support Services reports him for lack of payment and he's arrested?

Is it when Child Protective Services is called because of abuse in the home?

Is it when he chooses to abandon both mother and child?

Or is it when he holds his pregnant girlfriend at gunpoint and forces her to an abortion clinic?

Will we listen then?

Whether pro-life or pro-choice, we should all be able to agree that the quality of life is just as important as the life itself, and when faced with the pivotal decision of whether or not to continue a pregnancy, both parents must be included in the dialogue. If not, ultimately, it is the child who suffers.

It was unclear Wednesday whether Burgess still is pregnant and, if so, how many months. If she is, I applaud her decision, strength, and wish mother and baby a lifetime of love and happiness. But as Holt-Reid rightfully returns to prison for this unconscionable, immature act, as a society we need to dig deeper.

We cannot continue to just punish individuals, while ignoring the complex underlying issues. Ultimately, we must strive to protect all vulnerable women at risk when some men feel left with no recourse.