When men don’t take “life” seriously
I conceived while using condoms with foam and later an IUD. Friends have gotten pregnant on the pill. We were sexually responsible, but science failed us.
At 22, I wanted my tubes tied, too young. At 27, after IUD failure, I underwent an abortion, which saved my life. Only then did doctors take me seriously and tie my tubes. I learned that each and every pregnancy runs the risk of health consequences and death, something doctors can’t always anticipate.
I have known husbands who refused to allow hysterectomies when their wives’ health was in jeopardy. “Losing their manhood” took priority over losing their wives. How fortunate I am to have a supportive husband.
Today it seems too many males want reproductive rights without responsibility, resulting in:
▪ divorces and deadbeat dads
▪ single males who think manhood ends with impregnating women
▪ impoverished single mothers
▪ children hungry and homeless
▪ children in foster care
▪ children abused and murdered by caregivers, or sold for sex
▪ -adult children sent off to war, maimed and murdered for rich men’s gains
Children born deserve better, but it takes a village to raise a child. Children need responsible men and women in their lives.
Judy Johnson, Fresno
This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 10:03 AM with the headline "When men don’t take “life” seriously."