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The Time Has Come (Women’s Issues (Ready Reference series))

The Work

Published at a time of increasing concern about overpopulation and the role of the Catholic church in public policy, The Time Has Come addressed such issues as the impact of world population growth, the provision of fertility control methods to developing nations, and the role of public agencies regarding birth control for clients. It was influential not only because of the author’s scientific reputation—John Rock had pioneered research on women’s reproductive processes including treatment of infertility and the development of oral contraceptives—but also because of his religion—he was Roman Catholic. Rock argued that religious differences on family planning could be bridged by a policy of tolerance and set forth principles for setting family planning policy in a democratic society. Finally, he suggested that the use of birth control pills should be acceptable to Roman Catholics because the hormones involved are analogous to natural ones. Population control advocates received the book enthusiastically, while many Roman Catholics criticized Rock for failing to obtain an imprimatur (permission to publish) from the Catholic church for work of this kind and for attempting to minimize the obligation of Catholics to accept official teachings.