# Should male rape victims have to pay child support? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 1, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642 "2008-11-01T22:45:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![erleichda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4da419/32.png) [@erleichda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erleichda)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/81 "2008-11-05T18:52:21Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Forgive the hijack, but as an ex-deadbeat dad, I have to say you’re wrong. The purpose of child support is to force jackasses to man up. I’ll agree that it’s often used as a club between men and women, but many men’s history of avoiding their responsibilities is largely the cause of that situation. Moreover I know too many women who have to struggle to make ends meet because of men who won’t do the honorable thing to let your statement go unchallenged As a woman who consistently pays more child support to my ex than I have ever received from him, thank you, **Skald**. Child support is for children; it’s not to punish anyone. My ex is an abusive creep that I hate; what does that have to do with supporting our kid? Real parents pay child support, damn it! ---
**Author:** ![Henrichek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5daacb/32.png) [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/82 "2008-11-05T22:22:11Z")
Another issue that comes up before the question of child support is this: Should the female rapist even have a right to give birth to the child without the victims consent? People don’t even seem to question this, but it’s not so crystal clear for me. I am a bit torn on the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/83 "2008-11-05T22:31:56Z")
> [@Henrichek](#): > > Should the female rapist even have a right to give birth to the child without the victims consent? People don’t even seem to question this, but it’s not so crystal clear for me. I am a bit torn on the issue. Yeah, I think so. Even if she’s a criminal, it’s still her body. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Norder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@Dan\_Norder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Norder)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/84 "2008-11-06T01:25:26Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > You do know that this happens, right? Two teens, both under the age of consent, have been caught in the act and then BOTH prosecuted for rape, despite the fact that both say the sex was consensual. I think you missed my point. In such a case, would the people here who are complaining about the “victim” of consensual sex having to pay child support insist that neither one of the parents in cases where both parents “raped” each other have to pay to raise the child? After all, they are both “victims.” So if kids get each other pregnant then neither one would have to pay child support if the other one had custody? ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Norder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@Dan\_Norder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Norder)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/85 "2008-11-06T01:31:20Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Yeah, common sense. Such as the notion that we have laws about age of consent in order to shield juveniles from the consequences they are too immature to assume or even assess It’s not common sense to insist that teenagers are incapable of making informed decisions and thus should be shielded from the results of the major decisions they make so they learn that they’re not responsible for their actions and spend the rest of their lives thinking they deserve to get away with anything they want to do. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/86 "2008-11-06T01:37:39Z")
> [@Dan\_Norder](#): > > I think you missed my point. In such a case, would the people here who are complaining about the “victim” of consensual sex having to pay child support insist that neither one of the parents in cases where both parents “raped” each other have to pay to raise the child? After all, they are both “victims.” So if kids get each other pregnant then neither one would have to pay child support if the other one had custody? Just think what would happen if they wanted to get an abortion and couldn’t get parental permission! ---
**Author:** ![Henrichek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5daacb/32.png) [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/87 "2008-11-06T09:55:57Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yeah, I think so. Even if she’s a criminal, it’s still her body. True, but at the same time it’s not her genetic code, and adds to the burden of the victim even though no child support would be paid. I’m guessing it would be quite tough to know that you are the father of a child, with all psychological and societal responsibilities it entails. It would almost force the victim to deal with the rapist in the future, since they are both parents of the same child. I am not a parent myself, but I have the understanding that most people would feel a strong bond with their child even though it was unwanted. Hmm, I guess one could also draw parallels with copyright infringement :). ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/88 "2008-11-06T12:48:22Z")
> [@Dan\_Norder](#): > > It’s not common sense to insist that teenagers are incapable of making informed decisions and thus should be shielded from the results of the major decisions they make so they learn that they’re not responsible for their actions and spend the rest of their lives thinking they deserve to get away with anything they want to do. Right, because the whole point of shielding kids below the age of majority is to teach them that they’re not responsible once they’re above the age, either. That’s the common sense interpretation, for sure. In any case the message is not ‘Son, you’re under age - fuck all you like without paying for it’, but ‘Woman, the boy’s under age - don’t fuck him, but if you do, it’s all at your own risk’. ---
**Author:** ![Sarah85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Sarah85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah85)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/89 "2012-08-13T23:18:36Z")
Men can definetly be raped just as a female can. They think it impossable to rape a man but, its not. Any one ever hear of date rape? I mean come on ppl! I know a guy this happened to was basically date raped the rapist had a baby which is now 5months old and wants child support outta it. Just because you get raped does not mean that it won’t happen. These body parts normally act this way that’s what they were intended to do. It doesn’t mean they wanted it. I don’t think any rape victims should pay child support or let the rapist have any contact w/ the child. It is ridiculous and I hate to say it but, it’s hard to prove rape. The rapist herself could even yell rape rape. And because she’s female that would bring up a whole new case. ☹ The law likes woman more. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/90 "2012-08-13T23:29:52Z")
This thread is several years old, so many of the posters may not be here anymore. We call this a “zombie thread” because it got roused from the dead when you posted. This is why I’m making a joke about Zombie-Rape right now. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/91 "2012-08-13T23:53:49Z")
> [@Sarah85](#): > > Men can definetly be raped just as a female can. They think it impossable to rape a man but, its not. It is possible, it’s just harder because men are bigger and stronger. One method I understand is to wrap something around his neck and strangle him not-quite-to death; strangulation causes an erection (something well known from hangings). This has a good chance of killing hm of course, but a rapist isn’t likely to care. And of course, men can be raped by other men; but that at least isn’t going to bring up child support as an issue. EDIT: And looking back I see I mentioned this years ago when the thread was originally live. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/92 "2012-08-14T01:55:54Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > It is possible, it’s just harder because men are bigger and stronger. One method I understand is to wrap something around his neck and strangle him not-quite-to death; strangulation causes an erection (something well known from hangings). This has a good chance of killing hm of course, but a rapist isn’t likely to care. Give me one example where this has happened in the history of the world. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/93 "2012-08-14T02:01:35Z")
Is there a case where a woman was convicted of raping a man, was impregnated via that rape, received custody of the child, and the father was required to pay child support? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/94 "2012-08-14T02:10:45Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > Give me one example where this has happened in the history of the world. It’s been my understanding that’s the most common form of female-on male rape; I’m having difficulty finding a cite buried in all the porn links though. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Is there a case where a woman was convicted of raping a man, was impregnated via that rape, received custody of the child, and the father was required to pay child support? I seem to recall that happening in “statutory rape” cases. _\_ [Here’s](http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/08/16/janecrane.ART_ART_08-16-08_B1_T0B1RSR.html) an example. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/95 "2012-08-14T02:20:54Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I seem to recall that happening in “statutory rape” cases. _\_ [Here’s](http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/08/16/janecrane.ART_ART_08-16-08_B1_T0B1RSR.html) an example. Yes, but that’s not an example of forcible rape. Hell, the kid probably bragged to all his friends about it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/96 "2012-08-14T02:34:52Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I seem to recall that happening in “statutory rape” cases. _\_ [Here’s](http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/08/16/janecrane.ART_ART_08-16-08_B1_T0B1RSR.html) an example. That is very interesting. I wonder if the boy contested custody. It would seem unfair to me for the state to allow a woman who was convicted of rape to have custody of a child if the father wanted custody. It is also unfair to have this crime categorized in the same way that a forcible rape is. So it doesn’t address the morality of this situation, but certainly shows how screwed up the legal system can get. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/97 "2012-08-14T03:31:59Z")
If only I could _un-read_ things… ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/98 "2012-08-14T05:25:36Z")
If this case is purely statutory rape, he should pay… Or his guardians until he is 21. Statutory rape is bad but a completely different psychological experience, than forced rape. To suggest they are the same thing is dishonest and obtuse. He made a decision he wasn’t mature enough to make, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be responsible for it. She took advantage of a minor. I can’t possibly see what is wrong with making him pay. If it was a force rape - she tied him up, gave him drugs to disorient him, gave him Viagra and then proceeded to take advantage. Then the baby should be taken from her, offered to him, and lastly given up for adoption, etc. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/99 "2012-08-14T05:49:14Z")
> [@tomcar](#): > > If this case is purely statutory rape, he should pay… Or his guardians until he is 21. > Statutory rape is bad but a completely different psychological experience, than forced rape. To suggest they are the same thing is dishonest and obtuse. He made a decision he wasn’t mature enough to make, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be responsible for it. > She took advantage of a minor. > I can’t possibly see what is wrong with making him pay. > If it was a force rape - she tied him up, gave him drugs to disorient him, gave him Viagra and then proceeded to take advantage. Then the baby should be taken from her, offered to him, and lastly given up for adoption, etc. I think if the genders were reversed a man would not easily get custody of the child in the case of statuatory rape. If the case of forcible rape actually occured, I’m not positive the outcome you decribe would occur. General correction: In my previous post I said statuatory and forced rape were categorized the same, and obviously they aren’t. They just share a name. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642/100 "2012-08-14T08:25:56Z")
How many times in the history of the United States has a woman been convicted of raping (non-statutory, but forcible) a man? Has it EVER happened? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-rape-victims-have-to-pay-child-support/470642.md?page=6)