Brothers for Life believes in men supporting their partners. Support comes in many different
ways: financial, emotional, physical, spiritual and practical. You should talk openly to your partner about whether you are both ready to have children. Planning together helps both of you decide if you are emotionally and financially ready for parenthood. You and your partner need to make a plan to care for your baby, such as saving some money each month and testing together for HIV so that you can make sure that your baby is born HIV negative.

If you have a baby with someone you are not in a long-term relationship with, the child is still your responsibility. You and the mother and her family need to agree on your contribution to the child’s support and your access to the child. Even if you and the mother are in a bad or difficult relationship, the child you share is a joint responsibility, and you need to negotiate as adults to do what is best for the child.