Reader feedback on dogs, babies

FEEDBACK: On how birth control sabotage by women affects men. Reader: “Some women believe it’s their right to get pregnant whenever and by which man they choose, no matter if he doesn’t want it. Even with my stated medical reasons for not wanting kids of my own, one woman I dated tried to convince me it would be a good idea to have a child with her. Eventually she moved on, knowing I wasn’t going to give in.

“Sadly, women today want the equal opportunities their grandmothers and great-grandmothers fought for, but also have everything provided for them.” Ellie: Your right not to have children isn’t at issue. A woman might wish you would change your mind, but that doesn’t mean she’s only after financial support.

Of course, a woman who purposefully sabotages birth control is deceitful. But to generalize that “women today … want everything provided” is a gross, prejudiced exaggeration.

FEEDBACK: On grandparents who won’t babysit a couple’s two dogs. Reader 1: “Maybe there’s a very good reason why other people’s dogs are welcome at the family cottage and not these dogs. Maybe they’re not properly trained or are hard to control. Why is it the responsibility of the future grandparents to take care of the dogs? It’s the responsibility of the dog owners to make appropriate arrangements.” Reader 2: “If other dogs are welcome at the grandparents’ cottage ... any problem with these specific dogs should have been part of the discussion. The grandparents are eager and willing to help with their new grandchild, even buying a crib to keep at their place. That suggests it’s the dogs at issue, and perhaps not being addressed for fear of reprisal. This was suggested by the mention of ‘withholding access to a grandchild’ because someone doesn’t welcome his or her pets.”