Discuss and Debate

Topic:
Should biological fathers have a legal say in whether a woman can terminate a pregnancy?

AI Generated Sample Arguments:
For:

• Reproductive equality: Men should have a choice to decline parenthood, just as women can choose abortion.
• Financial freedom: Men shouldn't be forced into long-term financial obligations for an unwanted pregnancy.
  Against:
• Child's rights: Children deserve financial support from both biological parents, regardless of whether the pregnancy was planned.
• Unequal burdens: Women bear the physical consequences of pregnancy, while allowing men to opt out could leave mothers with all financial responsibilities.

You're welcome to research the topic beforehand, but it's not necessary. We will form the teams and select the judge/s on the day of the meetings

Meetup Rules
Strict Rule: Don't interrupt others when it is their time to speak. The only interruptions will be to let them know how much time remains

Recommended Rules

1. Treat others with respect
2. Try to argue for positions you don't agree with to increase your mind's plasticity
3. Don't tease or make fun of anyone or any groups
4. During the debate portion only, try to avoid making jokes

Judge Recommendations

*Note good points from both teams
*Make a decision as to who won the argument

Judging Rules

1. Selection of the judge is done on the spot, the day of the event - usually someone volunteers to be judge
2. After forming teams, the judge will pick a side to start the debate
3. Judge will only enforce the time for each team's cumulative time per turn. The time limit is 3 minutes per person, so a team of 3 will get 9 minutes in total per turn. The team will decide how to use their total time as they best see fit
4. There will be 3 turns per debate
   A) Both teams will get 3 minutes to prepare their Opening Statements
   B) Then each team will deliver their Opening Statements
   C) After Opening Statements teams, teams will get 2 minutes to re-group
   D) Then teams will deliver their Middle Arguments
   E) After Middle Arguments teams, teams will get 2 minutes to re-group
   F) Lastly, teams will deliver their Final Summary statements
   G) The judge will decide who won the debate
5. We need a minimum of 3 people to have a debate. Otherwise, we just hang out and chat

How Motions/Topics are determined

1. Opportunity will be provided at the end of each session to select and finalize the debate topic for each session
2. If the group cannot determine, a topic for the next session, then the Organizer will pick a topic

Additional Rule-Making Process
If there is a decision needed about the rules

1. Make a tentative decision for the current session
2. Allocate time during the next session for discussing and finalizing the decision
3. Generally, we want to minimize the number of rules to maintain simplicity