A “mentality” exists in a society when enough people react automatically to a situation without thinking of the long term consequences.
The purpose of contraception is to separate intercourse from procreation so that the contracepting couple can enjoy the pleasures of sex without the discomforting fear that their sexual activity could lead to the procreation of another human being.
The ‘contraceptive mentality’ results when this separation of intercourse from procreation is taken for granted. Ironically, this practice of using contraception to relinquish responsibility for one’s own offspring is, in the minds of many, consistent with “being responsible” and even “responsible parenting”. * So, the “contraceptive mentality” implies that a couple has not only the means to separate intercourse from procreation, but the right or responsibility as well.
The contraceptive mentality contains within itself the seeds of the abortion mentality. As acceptance of contraception increases so does acceptance of abortion because the root of contraception is the notion that a couple can engage in sexual activity and avoid its natural consequences. Couples who unintentionally conceive a child while using contraception are far more likely to resort to abortion than others.
Contraception changes our understanding of human sexuality by changing its purpose. The effects are far reaching and affect the way that we understand relationships, gender roles and the human person.
Erich Fromm, in his book, The Sane Society **, highlights the naïve assumption that the fact that the majority of people share certain ideas or feelings proves the validity of these ideas and feelings. Nothing is further from the truth. Just as there is a folie à deux there is a folie à millions. The fact that millions of people share the same vices does not make these vices virtues, the fact that they share so many errors does not make the errors to be truths.
A “mentality” exists in a society when enough people react automatically to a situation without thinking of the LONG TERM consequences.
* See K.D. Whitehead. “The Responsibility ‘Connection’: Divorce, Contraception, Abortion, Euthanasia.” International Review of Natural Family Planning, Vol. IV, No.1; Spring 1980, pp62-66.
** The Sane Society (1955) Routledge, UK; 14–15
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Contraception and the Culture of Death.
Lifelines publication of Family Life International Australia
Written by Dr. Andrew Foong
