The Role of Men in Preventing Unwanted Pregnancies.

[MineralMan]

This is too little discussed, it seems to me. There are no pregnancies that occur without fertilization. None. Well, maybe Jesus, if you're of a particular religious bent...but...

Men who want to prevent abortions can play a pivotal role in preventing unwanted pregnancies. I include good Christian men who are adamantly opposed to abortion in this. I also include all other men, who should always be aware that their sexual activity can cause a pregnancy.

When I was 20 years old, in 1965, I made a decision not to reproduce, due to my concerns about the population explosion. I succeeded in not causing any pregnancies throughout my life. What that meant was that if there was no reliable contraceptive method available or being used by a partner, I simply did not do what can cause conception.

That never was a factor in my sex life, actually. There are many other ways to enjoy sex that involve orgasms for both participants. So, if there was any question about the possibility of a pregnancy beginning, those alternatives were always available.

Any man can do that. Every man should be always aware of the chance of causing a pregnancy. If such a pregnancy is not wanted by both parties, alternatives are the answer, unless reliable contraceptive measures are in use and verified.

All the same, medical abortions should always be available, just in case not all men take such precautions. Even so, men should take the responsibility of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, thus avoiding the possible need for an abortion. Men are responsible for all pregnancies, in one way or another. They need to own up to that responsibility and be an equal part of the solution. It's very simple.

All men, of course, will not do that, so there will always be a need for safe, legal abortions. There should be no laws preventing that means of reproductive choice. But men can and should be active participants in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

[Srkdqltr]

1. Sure that will happen.

[MineralMan]

2. I said it SHOULD happen.

Do you disagree? I did my part. Others can do the same.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Got Your Back

I agree that it is the obvious alternative that seldom gets discussed.
Now, my wife got pregnant 3 times, but that was not unwanted. (3 miscarriages later, we gave up trying & went to contraception, always.)
But, i think too many men place undue importance on sex, so the idea of alterntives would never become reality.

[MineralMan]

6. There are many alternatives, actually.

Most of them are equally enjoyable by both parties. Risk-free, too, when it comes to pregnancies.

[Demobrat]

9. It SHOULD happen, but should has nothing to do with it.

Unfortunately.

IMO the only way to get through to most men the importance of birth control is to hit them hard, and hit them fast, right where it hurts.

In the wallet.

Get a girl pregnant, and you are financially responsible from the get-go, and for the next 18 years, with stiff penalties if you flake.

The difference between now and 1973 is that we now have something we didn’t have back then. DNA testing. Back then, “How do I know it’s mine” was an out. Not anymore.

You play you pay. And pay and pay and pay. It’s the only way.

Of course the incel contingent that so desperately wants to see women punished for NOT having sex with THEM wouldn’t be affected, but mama’s sweet little college-bound baby boy would, so hopefully real-world financial penalties would make a dent.

[Srkdqltr]

10. I do not disagree. I know there are men who are responsible. They are not the problem.

The ones not responsible will not cooperate in any way. A lot of men feel sex is a right and do not care what happens as a result. Some women are trapped into this mindset also. This may all go the way of prohibition, soon hopefully. Regulating sex would be the answer except the ones who control it are the ones who will never cooperate themselves.

[Mister Ed]

3. All my life.

When I was eleven, twelve years old, I was preoccupied with learning all I could about birth control. I wasn't even sure why. I just felt as though it was really important somehow.

I could have told you in biochemical detail how and why birth control pills worked. Much more detail than I can muster now that I'm old.

As a teenager, the only two things I taught my younger brothers about sex were:

You never, ever accept a girl's permission to go ahead if she's been drinking.

You never, ever make a girl pregnant if she doesn't want to be. The condoms are in my top drawer, in the back, on the left. Use them.

[MineralMan]

5. Yes. Many men have done that.

My father told me, when I was 14, "Son, do not get one of your girlfriends pregnant. You know what causes pregnancy. A pregnancy will alter the course of both of your lives in bad ways. Just don't do it."

Made sense to me then. So, I didn't.

[Mister Ed]

7. The emotional component of it for me was a feeling of...

...Wow. If a girl is going to share such a fabulous gift as that with you, then don't repay her by putting her through the pain and misery of an unwanted pregnancy. Just don't.

That's what I tried to convey to my younger brothers, and it was a feeling that I carried throughout adulthood and bachelorhood as well.

[MineralMan]

8. That's the responsible thing to do.

Some people are responsible. Others are not, don't care, or deliberately want to cause harm.