MSN Report of Birth Control Poll Forgets that Men Have Sex, Make Babies

Last week an MSN poll found that 83 percent of Americans think there should be more research on birth control, even though "[m]odern science has given Americans a wide range of birth control options."

How presumptuous of MSN to suggest that Americans wrongly feel a need for more research on birth control! The authors of this brief on the poll must be comfortable holding women and women alone responsible for preventing pregnancy because modern science has only given women a wide range of birth control options. Men have almost none.

Of course, having (almost) all the birth control options is a burden and a blessing.

On the one hand, it is women who must bring their bodies to clinics and hospitals and subject them, in the name of family planning, to poking and prodding, only to leave chemically-altered, fitted, patched, pricked, or tied (and resolved to suffer side effects). It is women who must remember to take pills, refill prescriptions, and (re)place products.

On the other hand, women always know whether they are using birth control, how effective their method is, and how diligently they use it. This, certainly, gives women a peace of mind that men only experience at the extremes of relationships: condoms for those short-term flings and false starts, sterilization after a good long go.

Men who want to take responsibility for family planning and/or want the peace of mind of knowing that they themselves can act to avoid an unplanned pregnancy have almost no options. We need more research on birth control so that men can have the burden and the blessing of submitting their bodies to the altar of family planning. It's only fair.

Comments

[LordMoon]

There's a reason for that.

If men had reasonable control over whether or not they conceived children it would be the end of single motherhood.

It would also be the end of the criminalization of fathers, who pay billions of child support dollars to the state each year, and a serious dent in the income of family courts, and divorce lawyers who also reap huge financial rewards at the expense of fathers.

Each time someone sues for large amounts of cash from a father whose child she is having out of wed lock, it's a conscious choice to exploit the child for all their worth.

Especially with the availability of abortion, rather than have a child in a loving home in the frame work of a comitted relationship, it's just another get rich quick scheme.

Of course they ignore fathers, in their view of the world the man is just the sperm donor, and a big payday for someone else.

[commonsenselives]

"If men had reasonable control over whether or not they conceived children it would be the end of single motherhood. "

They do have "reasonable" control. It is called a condom. Its not the best, but it is proven to work majority of the time.

"Each time someone sues for large amounts of cash from a father whose child she is having out of wed lock, it's a conscious choice to exploit the child for all their worth. "

Uh, no. It takes a large amount of cash to raise a child, period. The courts are there to decide based on a man's income what is feasible. Don't you think the child's mother is entitled to resources from the father since it is his child?

"It would also be the end of the criminalization of fathers, who pay billions of child support dollars to the state each year, and a serious dent in the income of family courts, and divorce lawyers who also reap huge financial rewards at the expense of fathers."

Child support is paid to the parent of the child, not the state. What are you saying? all women who sue for child support are looking for a meal ticket? Please. Not all women are saints but if the man would take responsibility for his actions, she wouldn't have to take him to court at all. Grow up.

[WeepingWillow]

As long as women are he biological vessels for as well as primary caretakers of offspring, they should not rely on others for birth control. However, it is called "Family planning', and those in loving relationships should make decisions together. Instead of more research, I suggest we make what's already there availably to everyone - EVERYONE.

[scoopdjour]

Getting a negative response from Planned Parenthood for a vasectomy? My (then) husband only had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment, pay about $75, and it was in-office, quick, and all the staff were friendly and helpful. This was in Tucson in the early 80's. I hope they still provide this service!

[Brennial]

There is research being conducted into a male version of "the pill," but if I recall correctly the early results were disappointing. Women can have tubal ligation, men can have vasectomies. Last time I checked either sex can buy condoms (which are a good idea even well into a relationship because STD's don't take a holiday and politely not infect you just because only one partner cheated). Beyond a pill for both parties and/or condoms for both parties and/or a surgical solution I'm missing what your problem is. Yes, it's unfair that an IUD or diaphragm doesn't have a male counterpart. Yes, it's unfair that pharmaceutical solutions for men have been underwhelming and that they can have consequences for women that range from inconvenient to deadly. Forget fairness and political correctness and thing practically for a minute- if you're going to have sex with someone and don't want a pregnancy would you rather hope that your partner has contraceptives or be sure that you do? BOTH people should be responsible. If people want more options (for people allergic to latex or women who can't take the pill) then how exactly is that a bad thing? If someone creates a better, safer contraceptive what's wrong with that? Maybe I was replacing the toilet paper roll when I was supposed to learn about being inconsiderate to my partner and how to take chances with my own health.

[LittleLiberal]

I don't know that I'd put my trust in a man remembering to take his pill. They have a hard enough time remembering to replace the toilet paper roll when it runs out.

[commonsenselives]

While I agree with you Lisa (men really only have one option other than abstinence), I have one point to make.

If we, as women, want complete control over our bodies when it comes to procreation, we should be the ones primarily responsible for our own birth control. Now, thats not to say that the man shouldn't protect himself; condoms do more than prevent pregnancy, but he is not the one who will ultimately carry the child if it's conceived. So she should be lookin out for her own body. Personal choice, right?

[fpie]

About fifteen years ago I wanted to get a vasectomy. So I called Planned Parenthood for advice. The lady that answered not only had no advice for me but seemed to feel it was ridiculous for a man to be calling them to discuss birth control. If the most visible organisation for the advocacy of family planning in the USA has no active policy of involving men in birth control it is no wonder the public doesn't take the idea seriously.