By Norman Fleishman
I”d like to wholeheartedly agree with Katy Sweeny”s fine characterization of the value of the birth control pill and suggest a correspondingly beneficial alternative for a good many of the male members of the human species: vasectomy!
My father had one about 60 years ago, after two children, and I had one 40 years ago, after four ? all told, there is nothing but benefit to report.
To be up front about my whole history on this ? and other methods of birth control, I did start a vasectomy clinic at Houston Planned Parenthood, where I was director, and at Los Angeles Planned Parenthood, where I was also director.
In addition to the many welcome personal benefits of birth control, aptly described by Ms. Sweeny, it is perhaps relevant to mention that while in the half-million years of human reproduction that led up to 1900, when my father was born, the total number of people on Earth arrived at one billion; in a little over a 100 years since ? the assemblage of inhabitants on the planet now crowds seven billion!
With my wife, I have well learned a little of the immeasurable extent of the commitment it takes to nurture one child; where in the world are we going to find the capacity to bring benign support ? to such a numberless multitude?
Norman Fleishman
Lakeport
