Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpinJesus
good idea. In my mind, dead-beat always referred to a parent who had the means and the ability to be a parent, but just didn't give a shit.
|
This definition seems to have "no excuses" built into it, which would render this thread moot.
According to Wiki, the term only describes a parent's financial commitment:
Quote:
Deadbeat parent is a pejorative term referring to parents of either gender that have freely chosen not to be a financially supportive parent in their children's lives.
|
Deadbeat parent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If that's to be the definition, then there are excuses. Valid excuses.
Let us say, for example, that a woman lies about being on the pill. The man thinks he is being responsible (even uses a condom, which fails) and she gets pregnant. Should he be held responsible? I dunno, but I can see that being a valid excuse.