Russian women who don't want children will be sent to psychologist (The Times, UK, 3/19)

[Dixiegrrrl]

11. I remember being treated as crazy for not wanting to be pregnant.

Seattle, 1970.

I was 25, very blue collar background, married, 2 children under 3, history of very difficult pregnancies, and adamantly did not want to be pregnant again.Best birth control was the new pill, but was having very undesirable side effects. Talked to my male gyn., cause there were no female ones around, he said I could "possibly"get sterilized if I had husband's written permission, clinical written approval by TWO shrinks!!!!!, and then had to wait 9 months afterwards.
Downside to hubby getting fixed was his never having kids with anyone in future if I was out of picture. That I could understand.
More important downside was he did not want me to have permanent birth control, which was the underlying issue of the whole problem back then.He actually liked the phrase "barefoot and pregnant."
I divorced him, went on welfare with the 2 kids, welfare was only too happy to pay for my sterilization, and for childcare when I went to Community College to get a degree and got a job.
Ended up with a Master's Degree in Social Work from U of Washington, 2 sons who are very proud of their Mom, and who tell me they still remember having to listen to " I am Woman" by Helen Reddy every morning at 6 am.