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In reply to the discussion: Female inmates sterilized in California prisons without approval [View all]dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)In the late 1960's, when I was a young married mother with 2 toddlers, I wanted to get permanent birth control.
Turns out, a married woman had to jump thru impossible hoops to get sterilized.
Her age plus the number of her children had to total over 120 points ( that eliminated most women right there)
she had to have husband's written consent
she had to get exam and approval from TWO psychiatrists and one gyn doc.
A man could get sterilzed anytime he wanted to, no problem.Wife did not even have to KNOW he did it.
Fast forward a couple years, I had divorced the spouse, and went on welfare with my 2 kids.
Welfare cheerfully sent me off to the hospital to get my tubes tied when I asked them to do it.
No fuss, no questions, nothing. Completely and promptly free of charge, too.
In my case, a questionable practice had a silver lining.