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I am a historian of vasectomy who is going to lose her shit if she sees one more feminists suggest "mandatory vasectomies" for men, that vasectomies prevent abortion, or that vasectomies are any kind of solution to this situation. Strap in, folks.
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First, the US has done mandatory vasectomies for men it saw as unfit to be parents already. In fact, it was policy in some parts of the US for most of the twentieth century. It disproportionately affected Black, Latinx, and disabled people.
If you think a "mandatory vasectomy til men prove they can be a father" is even a fun thought experiment, I recommend you go and read up on eugenics. Plus, that inevitably becomes "mandatory IUDs for women" too, which again, has happened in recent US history.
Next, let's talk about the pregnancies terminated in relation to vasectomy. If it is terminated because it is unwanted, but caused by a lack of BC, why would you think a guy who won't wear a condom would get a vasectomy? (And that you could trust he has had one)
If it's caused by failed birth control, then... Vasectomies can fail too! It's unlikely but absolutely possible. Sometimes the vas deferens heals itself years later. And there's no way to know, unlike a split condom or missed Pill, so no Plan B.
If it's caused by rape or coercion, then why would we think someone who doesn't see their victim as autonomous would get a surgery for their benefit? In fact, for some abusers and attackers, pregnancy is a *goal*. So still need Plan B and abortion.
If the pregnancy is a wanted pregnancy but is either ectopic or otherwise not viable or dangerous, then a vasectomy explicitly cannot prevent that - they were wanting to be pregnant, it's a biological mishap and needs to be treated with abortion.
If the pregnancy is unwanted because they are young, not in the right place in their lives, etc, then even with a partner willing to get a vasectomy, they may want pregnancy later, and it's not guaranteed to be reversible so should only be done if it's intended to be permanent.
Furthermore, even if the men in these scenarios did want to get a vasectomy, there are still barriers to access, particularly for younger men, unmarried men, or men who don't have kids. You know the "you'll change your mind" thing women get told? Men do too.
Vasectomy as an alternative also doesn't work for women with multiple male partners, unless all of them have had vasectomies. Women already struggle if they get pregnant by an affair and their husband has had a vasectomy. We don't have to be perfect to deserve choice.
Also, if the intention is to "stop abortions", that won't happen and shouldn't be the goal. But the most successful ways to *reduce* abortion rates (and teen pregnancy rates) are full sex ed, and free accessible contraceptives of all kinds.
In fact, Planned Parenthood have probably done more to reduce abortion rates than any republican politicians. But vasectomies are only a very small portion of that reduction, and a lot more is likely to be Plan B, long term reversible contraceptives (like IUDs), and condoms.
I've seen some guys say Roe has encouraged them to take the step to get a vasectomy, and that's great! I am very pro-vasectomy, and I think it is unlikely the attack on reproductive healthcare will end here, so a permanent option is very sensible if that's an option for you.
However, as I've said, this is only a viable contraceptive option for people who don't want any (more) kids, have a partner who will only have sex with vasectomised men, fit the doctor's requirements (eg age), and can afford it or have insurance that covers it.
Vasectomies do not help in cases of wanted pregnancies that need to be ended for medical reasons, unwanted pregnancies where a future pregnancy might be wanted, young people, non-monogamous people, pregnancies by rape, or pregnancies by BC failure (since vasectomy can also fail).
In summary: vasectomies are great, get one if you want one, but please do not pit them against abortion, and please do not talk about introducing mandatory vasectomies without acknowledging the history of them. Reproductive choice for all โโโ
Since people don't quite get this. Even if it is to show that "men wouldn't tolerate it if men were denied autonomy", it doesn't work, because thousands of men literally were forcibly sterilised and it was male doctors and politicians supporting it.
Big love to the people who've said they've learned stuff and it's made them think about things, that's all I'm trying to do ๐ going to mute this thread bc, as per usual, I've got a lot of men telling me I've missed the point and should shut up, and it makes me murderous.
Not that I think it's necessary, but I've seen people suggest this is "bad timing". I'd suggest that the time when people are having their reproductive autonomy denied is exactly the time to talk about how important reproductive autonomy is for everyone.
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