The Cult of Sterility: How Modern Culture Declared War on Human Fecundity

With steady regularity, news items appear in mainstream publications discussing male sterilisation or, in the conveniently obscure medical jargon, vasectomies. Although “discussing” is a stretch: despite the obligatory caveats about pain and permanence, the tone is uniformly affirmative. In July of this year, an article on BBC News ran under the headline: ‘Why I don’t regret choosing a vasectomy in my 20s.’ In May, a Guardian headline read: ‘My first thought after having a vasectomy: why aren’t more men having them?’ The Independent topped them both: ‘Why getting a vasectomy has made me feel more of a man.’ Critical commentary, to the extent that it can be found, is tucked away in harmless Christian corners of the internet.