I am a straight female but I knew that the world was a mess (Nixon was still the president) and I had a lot of issues that I didn't want to subject any child to. I didn't know if it was genetic or not but I just knew somehow that if I couldn't be 100% sure of being able to take care of myself I certainly couldn't and shouldn't even consider doing it to someone else. In high school my friends said that I would get married and have a dozen kids (they were also the same ones who harassed me for writing a pro-choice research paper). I got my tubes tied from Planned Parenthood for $99 in 1986 and since I was only 24 I had to attend a class and interview to make sure I knew what I was doing. The interviewer said he never met anyone so young who was so self aware. It was not a "good decision" it was the ONLY logical decision. Over the years I have said to myself a zillion times (especially lately) "Thank myself (I am an Atheist...no God to thank)that I made that decision!". When I read about climate change and when I see that humanity hasn't become any more humane than it was 2,000 years ago and that women are still treated like shit and the rich rule the world I am SOOOOO glad I listened to my gut instinct. I DID know and have known that the people on this planet are not something I want to be a part of or subject any innocent person to. I am glad that when I was a teacher I taught my students that the world is not fair but in our classroom it was a fair environment. I was the only first grade teacher who took her kids to the polls at the school every year and we voted with a secret ballot for everything from class parties to field trips. They learned how to be good citizens and 15 years later they still call me and write to me. I hope they pass it on...it is not my responsibility and they aren't my kids but I did the best I could while I could. I had to stop teaching a few years ago when I became too sick to continue. But I am still doing my best resisting the GOP as long as I can. I have always viewed things realistically (not negatively) since that is how I was raised. My 83 year old parents agree that the US and humanity in general is not progressing as it should have by now. I am so glad I do not have kids to feel guilty about since our future looks pretty bleak...as an American, a woman, and as a person on a planet which is being killed by greedy, selfish, inhumane people.
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