Roundup: Men influence birth control use

Also: "The menaissance" returns, the Times' obit section creeps toward equality and more

By Tracy Clark-Flory

A study reports that young women are more than twice as likely to consistently use a contraceptive method if their male partner believes strongly in birth control.
The Culture of Life Foundation argues that a marriage cannot be consummated through “contraceptive intercourse.” Does that mean premarital sex is OK if protection is used?
Welcome to “the menaissance,” yet again.
On a related note — or in total contradiction, I can’t decide — Details declares Jon Hamm to be “The Last Alpha Male.”
It seems the New York Times has listened to criticism about the gender disparity in its coverage of notable deaths. That’s right: The obituary section, now with more women.
Something to file under Baby Steps: Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi declares that young women do not need their father’s permission to be married — as long as other members of the family approve.
The Daily Beast delivers some “home-birth horror stories” — because apparently this is the week of Labor Stories From Hell.
Jezebel delivers the headline of the day: “Penises Grow On Female Snails’ Heads After Chemical Exposure.”
Beekeeping lessons are giving women hope in Afghanistan. (This cheery item comes courtesy of a friend who tells me: “You’ve been so depressing lately.”)
Gloria Steinem brings depressing news (so I don’t have to) by predicting that the fight for equality “will take another century and a half.”