The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-03-03
MASCULINE PRuDERy
sterilization" Proper Subject For
General Discussion.

1CHCt al CioSuooiOus
To the Editor of The Banner
Is sterilization" word which is
properly understood? We should
Judge not, II we are to base our con-
clusion upon the newspaper articles
appearing in the public press from
various editors, as well as individu-
ais
One of these writers refers in
slurring manner to the "Suffragettes
and women who brazenly appear be-
ore committee OF men and discuss
Jenereal diseases"
Now we do not know to whom this
modest man refers, but we would like
% inform him, and any other such,
hat we believe 1t emihently proper
ior women to address committee
upon any subject in which they are
,ftally interested, and especially so
when 1t affects their health and hap
piness in common with men, Furth-
ermore it is entirely constitutional.
Shame on such masculine prudery
when the health and happiness of the
race may be in the balance.
If it is unwomanly to show an in
terest in the matters directly and vi
tally affecting women causing them
needless sorrow and suffering then
Se must plead guilty to the charge.
Venereal disease often does for
nan exactly what the Sterilization
dill proposed to do for the states de-
,ectives, the only difference being,
hat one is self inflicted through igno-
'ance of natures laws, while the 9th
n is deliberately planned.
Men have tried TO lay the blame
If childless homes at the feet of
women. Isn't it about time the light
Sas turned on, and the blame placed
where it belongs?
Venereal disease Is the chief cause
Of dead and defective children, hos
| )ital operations which mutilate and
1nsex women and consign them to
permanent inyalidism. and the sud
| len death of men in middle life is
| often caused by the same thing
| Have these sterilization alarm
| SITS" ever risen to cry from the
lousetops that men must learn the
lrt of self control. and live a pure
| ife. or the race is certainly doomed
% extinction?
The sterilization bill is in line with
progressive legislation. but should
| nave included some defective types
ortunate enough to keep out OF our
| jtate institutions but who are a
menace to every community SINH
ar bills have been adopted in Indi-
ma, Oregon, Michigan and have been
Introduced in several other states.
The operation, Vasectomy, is said
o be trifiing and painless. 1t entails
40 wound infection, no danger, no
confinement in bed and no impair
nent of sexuality, which is more
han can be said of the operation wo-
men are forced to undergo as result
If the husbands infidelity
1t will thus be seen that no cruel.
y is imposed upon detectives, but
he multiplication of degenerates
and detectives is restricted.
Every progressive and intelligent
farmer realizes the necessity of
wedding out the scrub stock" in his
docks and herds. Why should II
seem a crime and 'inmodest" for
men and women to intelligently dis
suss a human problem which con-
| Germs both sexes, and especially
| when both men and women are com
PEELED to pay the bills and suffer the
! consequences?
| The average man and woman who
marry, and assume the responsibility
Of parenthood are more or less de.
void of proper knowledge and OF how
to rear healthy, happy normal chill
dren. Isn't 1t about time the state
lnaugurated campaign of education
along these lines, the educators to b.
composed of both men and womeni
Mrs. T.. ]. Parmelee. Enosburg Falls
VT.