DEAR ABBY: I am sick to death of hearing about people who have too many kids and the hardship it imposes. Common sense for the women is to use birth control, but why don't men step up to the plate and have a vasectomy? I had one years ago and it has worked well for me.
I never hear it mentioned on talk shows or read it in any advice columns, including yours. Men of America, wake up! -- JOSEPH IN LAS VEGAS
DEAR JOSEPH: I'm sure the word "vasectomy" has been used in previous Dear Abby columns, but I'm glad to remind my male readers. While I have never taken a poll on this subject, I'll hazard a guess or two about why men are reluctant to have them:
One, they equate it with castration; two, they think at some point they might change their mind or their partner; and three, they're afraid it will be painful. Drumroll: For any men out there who are worried that some tragedy might wipe out your family and you will have to start over, sperm can be banked for up to 20 years and used should the need arise.
P.S. There are also more options open to women than the pill. These include IUDs and, if they're sure they want to be finished with childbearing, tubal ligation.