How natural is "natural family planning"? Critical remarks from the biological behavior viewpoint
Neumann, G.H.
Der Gynakologe 22(1): 1-6
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-5994 PMID: 2653974 Document Number: 367693
It is becoming more and more common to designate birth control methods which depend upon periodic abstinence as "natural methods." From the viewpoint of behavioral biology, however, the method of periodic abstinence is not obviously natural. Sexual behavior has 3 functions: sexuality, that is the exchange of genetic information; propagation; and partner binding. In the early stages of evolution, sexuality and propagation were two separate functions. Asexual propagation--cloning-- is the rule among most microorganisms and occurs even among mammals. A form of sexual activity occurs among many microorganisms in which two individuals approach and form a plasma bridge, exchange genetic information and then separate. This exchange leads to genetic variability by means of which the principle of natural selection operates. This is the primary biological significance of sexuality. Even in higher organisms, sexual behavior and propagation are separable functions. Human sexual behavior has many aspects which are not connected with propagation. In contrast to most other animals, the human process of propagation is essentially continuous rather than episodic, and the period of care for the young extends over many years. This need to care for the young makes pair bonding an important part of human sexual behavior. Medical Judgement on methods of family planning often concentrates on the clinical aspects to the neglect of the psychological consequences of the requirement for sexual abstinence in "natural" family planning.