"Darling, it's so awful feeling this way! I love you--and I want you, but I'm so afraid I'll get pregnant again I freeze when you just kiss me." Thus begins this excellent Planned Parenthood comic from 1956/1962, posted with care on Comics With Problems and found via Boing Boing, who are doing an awfully good job. Joan and Ken Harper have three kids, and while they are all hot for each other still, Joan doesn't wanna get knocked up AGAIN. The sexual tension leads to some burnt toast and a brawl, and then an industrial accident. A common tale, I know. I think the rural edition involves a combine.
While the doctor is patching Ken up, he mentions birth control. Ken is scared, but as the doc says, "The government wouldn't let birth control products be sold if they were harmful." Oh, the rosy innocence of the 50's. Anyhow, some bright nurses fix Joan right up, and the couple can love without fear once again. Shoot, I gave the ending away! Oh well, you should still check it out for yourself, because they just don't make public health message comics like they used to.
