If all men were to go extinct tonight, the species of only women would survive for a few generations, and then die out when its frozen sperm banks ran empty. The human species needs both males and females in order to ensure survival, though socially women may live their lives and raise children with or without a male partner.
WILLIAM MALIN New York, Aug. 25, 2012
To the Editor:
As a lesbian (traditionally, but incorrectly, seen as part of a group that feels that men aren’t needed), I adamantly believe that Greg Hampikian misses the point. Diversity is why we need men. This is the same reason we need people of all ages, religions, sexual orientation and ethnic groups in our communities, workplaces, government and so on.
Even if we fast-forward a few decades to when medical science will be able to replicate a woman’s uterus and the whole gestation process, the world will still need both men and women.
I have two children who both need me. Why? Because I have mothered them for their entire lives even though neither came from my uterus (one was adopted and the other the result of donor insemination and carried by my ex-partner).
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Both my son and daughter, regardless of whether they choose to procreate, should be judged by the contributions they make in the world and not the percent of DNA they contribute to any future offspring. Men are necessary.
ELENA GERSTMANN Highland Park, N.J., Aug. 25, 2012
To the Editor:
Most of the great music has been done by men; most of the great mathematics; most of the great physics; most exploration; a fair share of the literature. Maybe this has nothing to do with gender differences. But would you want to risk it?
RICHARD ZERBE Seattle, Aug. 25, 2012
To the Editor:
I would submit that, with all due respect to the techno-utopian fantasy that Greg Hampikian projects, men are somewhat useful beyond that brief moment of conception.
As someone who has pondered this question for many years, and whose own offspring are engaged in extreme gender-role-challenging activities, I would like to share my conclusion that men are extremely useful for these activities:
