I was ashamed for MY lack of choice and the inherent paternalism of my gender. My partner and I did not want to have children then or ever. It would have been an easy solution and I did not follow through. We did both take precautions, though but it was messy and inconvenient for us.

You took precautions, why be ashamed that you did? Use a condom, have the snip, (I'll leave out castrations physical or chemical but it is an option). You had a choice, If you could explain inherent paternalism of your gender please. Women have options too. Your partner made a choice. You did your bit.

I think it’s still the norm. Some Pharma company tried to do a clinical trial for a men’s version of “the pill” and had to scrap the trial cause they got symptoms that made them drop out. All symptoms women are used to as a part of being a woman. Add to that what woman with half a brain would trust a man saying “don’t worry I’m on the pill”?

Don’t worry I know women have a history of entrapment with respect to birth control sabotage but I would NEVER hand over that responsibility to a man.

You are so right. Years ago a friend told me a story about a man who switched out his wife's birth control to force her to give up her corporate job that required her to travel and get a lower paying job closer to home. My friend was convinced the husband was jealous not only of her travel but of her income too.

Even though there are some women who trap men, there are men who are devious too.

There is an amazing series on You Tube called Victorian Farms (and Edwardian Farms, and Feudal Farms and War-time Farms). In this series there are 3 actors 2 male anthropologists and 1 female Historian, Ruth. One scene shows Ruth cleaning pig intestines and preparing them for condoms. It was the woman's job then to do this for men (it was not said how they got the men to use them).