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Vasectomy - Alternative Birth Control Option for a Post-Roe World [1]

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Date: 2023-04-23

Snip Snip

Why has the vasectomy never been a significant alternative and option for birth control? My theory, men don’t want the snip. I’m sympathetic, I truly am. But now with Roe overturned, it started me thinking about many things, including contraception. Maybe it’s time for men to step up to the plate. Let’s face it, they’ve had quite a free ride for the last several thousand years. So, I’m proposing that men embrace the vasectomy, a safe and relatively pain-free alternative.

I think we can all agree that contraception has been a woman’s responsibility and duty for ages. And let us not forget that it has primarily been men who have invented most methods of birth control such as: the birth control pill, the IUD, the patch, diaphragms, birth control sponges, the cervical cap, the birth control ring, the birth control shot, and birth control implants. And, it has been women who have born this burden so that men can engage in sex without taking any real responsibility or incurring any risk.

So how might society organize around this new responsible behavior? This is my suggestion. You may find it to be a radical alternative, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Here it is: When a boy reaches puberty, he gets a vasectomy. Call it a rite of passage, like when a young woman gets her period. This act would free men and boys up from the worry of getting someone pregnant. Then, to show proof of said vasectomy, boys would receive an identity card, something like a driver’s license, with a little scissors icon at the top. In fact, the state would be responsible for verifying that the procedure had taken place by issuing this card. Then when men wish to have children, their vasectomy could easily be reversed.

What this would mean for women, is freedom. Freedom from the fear of an unwanted pregnancy, and freedom from putting their bodies at risk with any of the myriad methods of birth control mentioned above. Men and women could then have the option of becoming parents when they are ready and able to accept this most important responsibility. At the very least, both sexes would be able to engage in sexual intercourse without anxiety and just for the sheer joy of it. Remember, sex is fun, especially when one is free from the fear of pregnancy. The only potential risks left to women would be counterfeit vasectomy cards and venereal disease. Although venereal disease is no small thing, there are currently drugs for these.

Look, men will still be in charge, sort of. But vasectomies would represent a monumental shift towards equality among the sexes regarding contraception as this then becomes an accepted rite of passage. Male puberty will be equated with vasectomy. One slight caveat, the success rate for reversing vasectomies needs a little work, but I’m sure this will vastly improve with time and attention.

OK, so this is probably a lot to absorb right now but think of it only as the beginning of a conversation. All social change starts with an idea, with subsequent discussion and finally, acceptance. But you must admit, we really are in a pickle as far as our current methods of birth control are concerned. I’m just offering up a new way of solving the problem, with less risk to women. And wouldn’t you want to be the generation that implemented this revolutionary response to such an important cultural and biological issue? It’s just a 15-30 minute out-patient visit. I looked it up on the internet and this is what it said: “The procedure is very quick. And it's extremely effective at preventing pregnancy — almost 100%. There are two types of vasectomies: the incision method, and the no-scalpel (no-cut) method.” So, men, don’t wait for it to be the law. Be a great citizen now. Your country needs you!

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/23/2165446/-Vasectomy-Alternative-Birth-Control-Option-for-a-Post-Roe-World

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