As you’ve probably heard, a male contraceptive pill (or shot, or implant) is just around the corner; human trials are underway, and some scientists estimate that a reversible, long-term, not-rubber male contraceptive will be available by prescription in the U.S. in as little as five years. (Good Men Project columnist Ted Cox recently wrote about the latest developments in the field.)
Until now, guys have had two birth control options—condoms (which, among other drawbacks, have as much as a 16 percent failure rate) and vasectomies (which are usually permanent)—so the arrival of the man pill, which will give men more control over their baby batter, should be welcomed by everyone.
But a recent study raises old questions about male contraception: Will guys be interested in taking a contraceptive pill? and Will women trust men to take it? (The assumed answer to both of these questions—no—is part of the reason the man pill took so long to develop.)
Among the study’s findings:
- 50 percent of those (134 women and 50 men) surveyed said they would use male pill when it’s available; 31 percent said they weren’t sure, and 19 percent said they definitely wouldn’t.
- 52 percent of the women surveyed said they would be worried that their partners would forget to take it, while 17 percent of men surveyed thought that men would forget.
- 16 percent of the men surveyed felt that taking a man pill might make them feel less masculine.
Some bloggers/columnists have interpreted these findings to mean that if the pill were available today, “men wouldn’t be running to pick it up.” I’m not sure what Christine Estima was expecting, but it looks to me like 81 percent of guys are either waiting for someone to say “run,” or would consider it.
My guess is that some of the remaining 19 percent would come along eventually, once they were sure that they wouldn’t develop hot dog fingers or Barry Balls. No matter how revolutionary a product promises to be, it will have its first-adopters and those that want to wait for the first adopters to tell them it’s safe—both physically and socially.
Of course, as this study indicates, there are some gendered cultural hang-ups over birth control; since most research and development has been aimed at women, and therefore, generally, women have taken charge of couples’ contraception choices, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are some guys out there who think of contraception as a “girl thing.” Dr. Susan Walker, the study’s author (whom we contacted by email), points out, “Those who were concerned that pill taking was an activity associated with women, and therefore might make them feel less masculine, were not necessarily against taking it.”
That doesn’t mean this is a rational way of thinking about it—guys should recognize that taking responsibility for their baby-making powers is a good thing—but the best way to counter these attitudes is to make practical male contraception available. “It remains to be seen whether concerns about [being “feminized”] will persist if the practice of taking a male pill becomes widespread,” Walker points out. “Versions of masculinity change quite rapidly in society so it may become an accepted practice of masculinity as time goes by.”
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The question of whether women trust guys (or whether they should trust guys) to take the pill on schedule is a secondary—and less relevant—point. In any loving, committed relationship, an otherwise trustworthy partner might be forgetful when it comes to daily pill-taking; it’s the responsibility of both partners to take whatever steps they deem necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
That might mean they both take their own birth control pills, or that one person takes the pills and the other person does the reminding. An available male contraceptive pill will mean that couples will have more options—and with a practical solution available to men, it will likely lead to more dialog between partners around contraception. That’s good for everyone.
—photo e-MagineArt.com/Flickr
“I’m not sure what Christine Estima was expecting….”
She was expecting to get traffic directed toward an article. Thanks for helping with that.
Ha!
I’m sorry, but the first thought on any innovation of male health care should not be “what do women think about it?” Who cares what they think? Ladies, if there ever is a man pill (because it’s been “five years away” for about fifteen years now) there’s nothing stopping you from continuing to take your own. Whether women can “trust” men to take it is a complete non-issue. It shouldn’t even be a consideration. Whether men will take it is another matter, but I think that if even 10% of men are willing, then we owe it to them to… Read more »
This is great! Women are only fertile for about 1 week in a month (or 25% of the time). It seems somewhat ridiculous that women should be the ones to have to suppress their fertility when they are fertile a quarter of the time men are fertile.
I just hope the male birth control is safe with minimal side affects.
I had not even thought of the difference in the fertility period. Good point, especially if a man has more than one sexual partner.
I think the article raises some valid questions, but on the whole I would say, “so what?” Are men going to be less conscientious than women when it comes to taking a birth control pill? Maybe, hard to say. So what? Let’s get one on the market so there are even more birth control options out there. There’s nothing that says a couple can’t use two forms of birth control. Are men going to be less enthusiastic consumers than women were about The Pill? Maybe, hard to say. So what? No doubt there are still many men who would prefer… Read more »
I like your line of thought here. Why even bother trying to determine men’s interest/enthusiasm/desire in a male pill by trying to compare it to the female pill? I thought this was all about freedom for everyone.
I never thought my vasectomy was a big price to ensure a less-complicated sex life. That said, I understand some men would think that it is. Think, think and think again before undergoing one. I take your point. There should be a male pill regardless of how likely men will take it as directed. But I’m willing to bet it will be adhered to with enthusiasm. The idea that it won’t is just another version of the old saw that men are sweathogs. It comes from the same quarter that thinks men don’t know which toy on the playground belongs… Read more »
I’m excited about a man pill! It never occurred to me to be worried that a man would say he’s taking the pill but really not be, or have forgotten until I read this article. It does seem rather insulting to approach this innovation with such distrust right off the bat. I’d trust my partner and will gladly let him share more of the physical responsibility for preventing pregnancy.
It continues to amaze me that men, when women say “don’t worry I’m on the pill”, believe them just on their say-so.
If you’re in an exclusive, or at least long term relationship, then yes, believe away….but a casual thing? Not on your life would I just say “Oh ok, no problem”. I think that women are more inherently suspicious when it comes to these things anyway, maybe justifiably so, maybe not.
I would still use a condom. Birth control can fail, even if used everyday. But I’m justifiably suspicious of birth control working 100%. I’d rather not end up with a kid before I’ve even graduated college.
Some bloggers/columnists have interpreted these findings to mean that if the pill were available today, “men wouldn’t be running to pick it up.” I’m not sure what Christine Estima was expecting, but it looks to me like 81 percent of guys are either waiting for someone to say “run,” or would consider it. I’m not even sexually active but for the sake of your example I’m jogging in place to get ready for someone to point out the direction we need to “run” in to get it. Even if I don’t need it I would love be able to think… Read more »
Of course men would take a contraceptive pill. We’re no less conscientious than women are. What sort of jackass thinks we wouldn’t? Probably the sort that doesn’t credit us with the ability to do anything of lasting value. But we don’t need their good opinion to live. Bring on the male pill!
Male pill, plus LC4M which would reverse the idea that women have the right to make unilateral decisions to give birth to the children of unwilling, unknown or unsuitable men, would reduce a lot of social problems, imo.