By Mary Shivanandan, AMERICAN CATHOLIC

"Natural family planning." No, it's not the old calendar "rhythm" method just being peddled under a new name. It ordinarily does not require long periods of sexual abstinence. And it's not "Vatican Roulette," the nickname cynics often gave rhythm because in their minds it came closer to gambling than to any real science!

The generation of Catholics who relied on calendar rhythm for their family planning method in the 50's and 60's often experienced extreme frustration—and a good number of "rhythm babies"! The introduction of the Pill, many thought, would eliminate all the frustrations. The Pill seemed to offer everything denied by calendar rhythm—effectiveness, freedom from fear of pregnancy, spontaneous sex. But it brought its own set of problems, questions, dilemmas: Was it moral? What of harmful side effects? Did its use promote promiscuity?

With the 70's the "new" methods of natural family planning (NFP) appeared on the scene. Among those adopting the natural methods were young couples of different religious persuasions, feminists, health advocates. The ever-growing group extolled the virtues of natural family planning. They found it effective, free from side effects and beneficial to their marital and sexual relationship.....

What is natural family planning?

What is natural family planning? In the broadest sense, natural family planning refers to methods of avoiding (or achieving) pregnancy that cooperate with a couple's fertility rather than suppress it through the use of drugs or contraceptive devices.....TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE, GO TO:

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