To the Editor:
What Nicholas D. Kristof says is all too true. An additional dimension to the problem is the worldwide cultural message that equates manliness with the ability to impregnate women, but this, of course, does not translate into responsibly caring for them.
If there were universal consequences for men related to the number of children they fathered, the birthrate would decrease. As long as women are literally left holding the baby, men will continue to father children indiscriminately.
Susan A. McGregor
North Kingstown, R.I., April 5, 2009
Note from KBJ: The women, of course, are not responsible for their behavior.
