A pleasant surprise.

I was very pleased with the February cover story ("The other half of the story: Men and abortion") by J. Peter Nixon.

I have been asking for years: Why are only women discussed and quoted on such issues as reproduction? They are not the only ones involved in these questions. The old saying that it takes two to tango holds true.

Finally, thanks to U.S. CATHOLIC, the men and their participation and responsibility are brought to the fore. It was especially revealing how much the male partners who participate in the question of abortion are as personally and morally conflicted as the women. I am happily surprised that many men respond in such a way to abortion. It was my impression that most men simply ran away from the issue and left the spouse or girlfriend holding the bag.

Thank you, U.S. CATHOLIC, for straightening out my thinking.

L. B. Hoge

Brandon, Fla.

Men encourage or discourage abortions. Some have strong convictions and some do not. If all the men who are protesting abortions changed their tactics to protesting the irresponsible behavior of their own sex, they would have a lot more credibility.

When men start taking responsibility for not impregnating the women they love until they are both ready to raise a child, then they will be contributing to the solution.

Dianne Z. Meyer

Dayton, Ohio