The NY Times recently ran an article discussing the various male birth controls that are currently in development. One potential male birth control titled Gamendazole, is derived from an anticancer drug. It interrupts sperm maturation so that the male will make nonfunctional sperm. After reading this, the first thing that came to mind was the question of would I trust my man, or any man for that matter enough to rely on him to be the one to protect us from an unplanned pregnancy. Needless to say, my immediate answer was a resounding hell to the no. The second question that came to mind was why are the powers that be so concerned with the functions of a woman’s vagina? Confused yet? Let me explain.

The intentions behind the male birth control may be to assist in preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, I also have the sinking suspicion that there is another underlined, more cryptic plan in the works and it runs deeper than giving men another option for safe sex.

I want to start by making something crystal clear. I trust my man. In fact ladies, I would suggest that any man you decide to divide your legs for, you should have some level of trust for as well. I trust my man enough to give him my body. However, I trust no one more than myself with the direction and protection of my life and my body. In this context, meaning if and when I decide to have a child. As being primary caregivers, women should have an equal if not greater decision making power over becoming pregnant. However, despite all of our women’s liberties and rallying for female empowerment, it is still barely an equal playing field when it comes to the bedroom on several levels. For centuries men in positions of power have been given the authority over what a woman did with her body. When she was ready to have sex. How often she had sex. Who she had sex with. In 2011, this same systematic way of control is still in existence.

Male birth control is another way for men to have some form of control over a woman’s body. Instead of the woman having complete authority over her body and deciding whether or not she wants to use birth control or the type of birth control she wants to use, she now can place that responsibility on her man. Once again, making her body, his dominion. Not to mention the possible side effects that may occur from the use of any male birth control. “But LJ, shouldn’t the woman be thrilled that she no longer has to take on the burden of remembering to take a birth control pill everyday or fretting over an uncomfortable patch.” Yes, from the outside looking in, it may seem that a sigh of relief is in order. Oh yeah, we should all rest our pretty heads because this is one less thing we have to worry about. The big, strong men can do all of the thinking for us. Don’t fall for the hype ladies. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do think it is as much the man’s responsibility to assure that the couple is practicing safe sex. Yes he should be willing to use a condom. In now way am I saying that safe sex, and preventing unwanted pregnancies is the sole responsibility of a woman. However, I think that the idea of male birth control is almost laughable. I am asking all women to think deeper and to pay attention to what is happening around you. We have little to no decision making authority over our own bodies. Men want to control as much of the female reproductive process as possible. A scary notion considering the fact that women are the ones whom the child grows inside and that we are usually the primary caregivers of the child once it is born. Why on God’s green earth do we tolerate men attempting to regulate the female body? Why would we ever trust male birth control as a viable form of protection? Are we going to trust them to test out our tampons for us as well? Oh that’s right, we already do.

The problem as I see it is that there are too many individuals with penises engrossed in the discussions of what a woman can and cannot do with her body. There are too many people making decisions for women, whom the consequences of these decisions will never directly affect.

From religious groups protesting abortions, to the criminal miscarriage law in Utah, which expands the definition of illegal abortion to include miscarriages, removes immunity protections for women who have or seek illegal abortions, treats women as presumptive criminals and leaves them open to criminal prosecution to male birth control. There are too many old, white men in positions of political power, delegating decisions about a woman’s body and never experiencing one day of their lives as a female. This is just another way for them to regulate us. It is another way for them to say that we are incapable of making smart decisions in regards to our own bodies. The notion of that ladies, pisses me off and it should you as well. The decisions made on a national level, in regards to a woman’s body should be a priority to all women. Word of advice, trust no one other than yourself to protect your own neck ladies.

One slight plus to this is that, guys can no longer get upset at the chick for forgetting her pill. The responsibility to prevent an unwanted pregnancy would fall as much on the man as the woman. Yes, yes, I know.. It already was as much their responsibility as ours ladies. But, according to society rules, anything to do with a woman’s vagina falls completely on the woman. Would you trust your man to take male birth control? Do you think men will actually try it?