Male abortion counsellor

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 24

Male abortion counsellor

Sir, — I still believe that if S.O.S. wishes to be left with any credibility they should advise all their patients to refuse to ■ see a man at any time during the course of the pregnancy. Women sleep with a man to get pregnant, visit a doctor, male in probably 90 per cent of cases, see a male consultant, expect a male to perform the abortion and then have the gall to say that men “are incapable of understanding emotionally, psychologically and physiologically,” to quote 5.0.5., and try to damn a male counsellor. If one could believe all that has been written, pregnancy is an unusual, unlikely — a really rare complaint that women are afflicted with and find almost impossible to cope with owing to their extreme “sensitivity” — and they got the complaint unaided. — Yours, etc., C. M. SUMMERS, May 5, 1980. Sir, —Mr Wilkins (May 3) still seems to be confused about the specific roles of counsellor and doctor. For fundamental enlightenment, could I refer him to A. K. Grant’s article adjacent to his letter in “The Press,” May 3: “Simple information in the suburbs.” — Yours, etc., B. ROBERTS. May 4, 1980.

Sir, —The men who have written to you defending the appointment of a male abortion counsellor have destroyed their own case. Not one of them has understood the resentment of a woman left “holding the baby,” facing a “star chamber” system designed, operated, and forced through Parliament by men over the opposition of women. It is a system designed to keep women powerless. How totally offensive to now rob the victim of the little female support she has.—Yours, etc., ALAN WILKINSON, May 5, 1980.