Reproductive Choice for Men...

In my opinion, a man's role in reproductive decisions by women does not exist. It does not exist, because once a woman becomes pregnant, she is the only one who can, or should make any decisions about that. Period.

I'm an old man of 72 years, who grew up in a time when contraception was almost impossible to obtain for anyone under the age of 21 in my state of California. Unmarried women could not be prescribed any form of contraception, which was limited to diaphragms, until 1964 in that state. For men under the age of 21, condoms, which were sold only by pharmacists, were unavailable, since the minimum age to buy them was 21. That was California. Laws in other states differed, but I lived in California.

From the time I was 16, in 1961, avoiding causing a pregnancy was important in my life, as it was to a lot of adolescents of both sexes at the time. I was sexually active at that age, and had serious discussions about all of that with my girlfriend at the time. We figured out how to effectively avoid the possibility, and a pregnancy never happened.

In 1965, after reading a good deal about population issues, I made a decision. I was still only 20 years old, but I decided that I would not reproduce, due to my concern about overpopulation. It was a personal decision and was based on my sense of ethical behavior at that time. That decision has never changed during my life. It was my decision alone, and I have no opinion about what others should do.

That decision was a matter of discussion with everyone with whom I had a serious relationship from then on. I have been married three times in my life, and each time it was understood and completely agreed with by the women I married. A number of relationships ended early because of that decision, and that was OK. But I never hid that information from anyone, because it was important. It came up early in any relationship, and provided an opportunity to opt out of the relationship, which some people took.

At the age of 72, my decision is no longer an issue. I will almost certainly never again have sex with someone of childbearing age. I have zero regrets about the decision, nor does anyone who I've been married to. None of them have had children, even after the marriages ended. They all shared my commitment not to contribute to overpopulation.

That was my reproductive choice. Lots of people have told me it was a stupid choice. Lots of people have argued with me about it. Men do have a choice regarding reproduction, but that is pretty much the only choice that will not result in someone becoming pregnant, and it takes a certain amount of commitment to follow.

Nobody I've ever had a relationship with has ever had to make a choice about whether to carry a fetus to term. I have never contributed to a pregnancy. That was the choice I made, and a choice I observed carefully throughout my life. I'm committed to reproductive choice, 100%. I made a choice, and everyone else on this planet has the right to make a choice, but only regarding themselves. Nobody has the right to make a reproductive choice for anyone else, either for or against reproducing. Nobody. I wouldn't allow anyone to make my choice for me, and I don't believe anyone should make that choice for any other person. Ever.

That's my history. I remain 100% committed to reproductive choice for everyone. I made my choice. Others should always be able to make theirs.