As readers of my column probably already know, I?m a fan of the Maury show. His paternity test programs are especially dramatic. One thing I have noticed is that men are often certain that they ?can?t be the father? because of the circumstances under which the sex took place and their feelings ? or rather lack of feelings ? for the mother.

Men denying paternity have said: ?It was just a one night stand!? ?She was just a booty call.? ?I used you!?

Reproductive biology 101: when heterosexual penile-vaginal intercourse takes place, a sperm can meet an egg, resulting in a pregnancy. Should the pregnant woman carry to term, the result will be a baby. This is true if the impregnating man deeply loves the woman. It is true if he respects and admires her. It is also true, and equally so, if the impregnating man cares not one whit for the woman. It is true if he actively dislikes and even hates her. It is true if he has complete contempt for her.

Oh yes, and vice versa. A sperm can meet an egg and fertilize it even if the woman cares nothing for the man, dislikes or hates him, and has complete contempt for him.

Customers can impregnate female prostitutes. One night stands and booty calls can cause pregnancies.

Since I?m writing for a men?s website, I?m going to address myself to the guys. That booty call or hooker can get pregnant by you. No matter how strongly you may feel that the resulting unborn is your precious son or daughter, she can have it ripped out of her womb, never to be born. This was true before Roe v. Wade and will be true after it is overturned (which I believe it will be). It is true when abortion is legal and when it is illegal.

She can also have your baby and raise it. If she does that, you may be in a permanent relationship with this woman because she is the mother of your child.

Think! Next time you?re tempted, think about what this woman might do with the resulting embryo/fetus/unborn baby. Think about having to deal with her for the rest of your life because DNA proved she had your child. Think about whether or not you consider this woman worthy of raising your child.

Maybe, just maybe, you?ll decide that an hour or so of pleasure isn?t worth it.