Letter: Focus on boys to reduce pregnancies

I read with great interest the article by John Bongaarts, "7 billion . . . and counting" [Opinion, Oct. 30]. I agree that girls need to be educated. But, as I understand physiology, the boys do play a role here. So how about family planning education for the boys too?

The best path would be for men to conduct education programs for boys. Women have been addressing girls as much as is possible.

In addition, laws need to be changed. Why is that it is unlawful for a male or female older than 18 to date a minor, while a minor goes scot-free if he impregnates a minor? There is not much of a difference in thinking between 17 and 18. The clinics in some areas of New York City are flooded with dad, mom and baby all coming for pediatric checkups!

As most pregnancies among youngsters are unwanted, if boys had some respect for girls, and concern for their health and their future, teenage pregnancies would not happen. It is amazing that among boys who go through all the hardships of being raised by young single moms, so few of them remember to step forward to fight for women's issues -- one of them being unwanted pregnancies.

Dr. Sharada Jayagopal, East Williston