[Mental acceptance of surgical contraception by man and wife]

The term "surgical contraception" is chosen instead of the word "sterilization" because this expressions is technically more accurate, psychologically more favorable and historically less tainted. Opossed to false information and prejudice, surgical contraception iscommendable in the sphere of family planning as a permanent contracptive as long as the partners are carefully advised and selected before the operation. Conditions for a favorable mental acceptance are: independent, unequivocal and free decision, clear motivation, no wish to have any more children, agreement between the partners, and to a great extent, freedom from strife between the partners and from personality disorders. These result are obtained from the critical review of serial catamneses in the last 50 years, mainly from western countries.