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The very notion of pro-life feminism is an affront to the vociferous leaders of America's abortion-rights lobby and the aging ranks of its feminist establishment - two groups that are, for all practical purposes, indistinguishable. The overlap between these two groups and their shared indignation at organizations like Feminists for Life and women like Sarah Palin is no accident. It is a consequence of their decades-long campaign to make feminism synonymous with a woman's right to abort her child and to marginalize any free-thinking feminist who dares to disagree.
Pro-life feminism is the future
Seeded on Sun May 23, 2010 2:30 PM EDT
Article Source: The Washington Post- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (20)
I don't know if Pro-life feminism is the future or not, but having a choice is the best option.
I personally think abortion should be only in the case of rape or if the mother's life is in immediate danger. And I think all partial birth abortion should be banned.
Unfortunately abortion has been around ever since the first woman became pregnant, so it might as well be safe. Otherwise it's back to coathangers and quacks.
Also, even if all abortion was outlawed, it still won't stop abortions from happening.
- 14 votes
#1 - Sun May 23, 2010 2:35 PM EDTWhat is needed in the human community is for some way to remove the stigma that currently attaches to pregnancy. I'm not advocating for teen pregnancy and motherhood, but I am saying that without this idea that childbirth is one of the natural roles of women, and yet something that should not impede career or status, abortion will continue to occur in much larger numbers than there could be.
And robyn is right about this - the only thing worse than legal abortion is illegal abortion. We cannot sweep this all under some porch. We have to engage with society and change how we view things. -k/ff
Clipping to Newsvine Feminists.
- 7 votes
Your view mirrors that of most of the Pro-Lifers I know. They would never consider abortion for themselves but they don't want to take the choice away from others. If that's the future Pro-Life feminist I can deal with it =)
but I am saying that without this idea that childbirth is one of the natural roles of women
It is not a role for every woman and there is a time and a place for it. No one is saying women shouldn't give birth but they should be allowed to choose when it is appropriate for them.
- 12 votes
Pro-life feminism is an oxy-moron, like military intelligence. robyn, your view point is right on target.
- 6 votes
It is not a role for every woman and there is a time and a place for it.
Oops. I'm sorry if you thought I meant that every woman should give birth sometime. I just wanted to see those women who DO choose to have children avoid having other options foreclosed on, just because they choose to give birth. Does that make sense, or am I overtired???
- 3 votes
I see what you mean now. There are many people who do believe a womans natural role is barefoot and pregnant simply because we are capable of it. Even though this is what our bodies are capable of you can't deny that it can take a lot out of a woman and so can motherhood which is why it more often that not interferes with other options in life. So many girls I know have quit work because of pregnancy symptoms and because they wanted to bond with their baby for the first few years. But I really believe it is up to the individual since everyone is different.
- 6 votes
but I am saying that without this idea that childbirth is one of the natural roles of women, and yet something that should not impede career or status, abortion will continue to occur in much larger numbers than there could be.
The problem is that her peers and competitors remain fully employed and do not slow down (they don't get mommy tracked). After her down time (assuming she didn't keep pace with her peers), she's in the same place (or behind) where she left off and everyone else has moved on. Remaining stagnant in a job can kill your career.
Abortions are tragic since they are virtually avoidable. I can understand how it happens, though, as my wife apparently became pregnant the first time I looked at her.
- 9 votes
#2 - Sun May 23, 2010 3:05 PM EDTsex-selective abortion, the latter of which is an increasingly common practice in the U.S. and abroad in which unborn girls are targeted for elimination simply because they are girls.
ummmmm... got any specifics on this? Sex-selective abortion is well established in India, and probably common also in China. In the US? Put up or shut up.
I've followed this issue for years, and overwhelmingly pro-choice people support keeping the baby, but keeping also legitimate choice safe and legal. Insofar as there are still right-wing types out there flogging "abstinence only" bullsh*t, there can be no compromise on the absolute right of reproductive freedom in women. "When one person is in slavery, no-one is free."
- 6 votes
#3 - Sun May 23, 2010 6:39 PM EDTTruly, anyone that I have ever discussed this issue with does not LIKE abortion. To make abortion rare is the same hope, I believe for both sides of the issue..and this means that we need to educate our kids to the available choices when making that ONE choice that causes pregnancy! Smarter kids make smarter choices.
Robin, late term abortions, like first trimester abortions are not going to go away. Women have health issues that crop up later in their pregnancies, the fetus is found to have some health issue that would be a sure death sentence if it makes it through the birthing process...these issues are going to happen. If you are referring to late term "choice" abortions...*shudders* again, truly I cannot imagine any woman being pregnant for 5-6 months than all of a sudden saying "nope dont want to be pregnant any longer...lets abort"....I would have to see really reliable stats to prove that is what is happening.
As you stated, abortion has been as long as women have been getting pregnant and it will always be around. I think that both sides of this issue have to come together to find a common ground to help create a nation where abortion IS rare...and I believe that is through education and access to birth control methods that are reliable and affordable.
This propaganda...the sex-selective abortion...I would have to see numbers, or see her state how SHE knows this is happening in the USA. As you and G mentioned...China...and even then...can you imagine being told you can only have one child...and if that child is a female either aborting or letting it die so you can try for a boy...because boys are the gender of choice? I would not want to have to make THAT choice...
She states that the numbers of women that are pro-choice and those that are pro-life are changing, with the pro-life side taking the higher numbers...I do not disbelieve that. In fact it would make sense to me. Those of us that have lived through the whole "womens right" fight...and watched as women were discriminated against based on gender...with these things all changing (with certain limitations)...so too should the thoughts on birthing and childrearing...if only because women do not see what went before.
I remember when abortion was illegal. I knew of more than one young woman that lost her life, or the ability to have anymore children by going to a back street butcher...so yes, I want to see abortion remain legal and safe. I dont think anyone wants to see our young women die because of a botched abortion.
How do we fix this? What is the answer. How do both sides come together and make this issue work, for all women? And if in finding an answer we are then referred to as Pro-life Feminists....than I am all for it.
- 6 votes
sex-selective abortion, the latter of which is an increasingly common practice in the U.S.
I've naught heard of this either. I would imagine it happens, but not on the scale as say, in India or China.
- 3 votes
#4 - Sun May 23, 2010 6:44 PM EDTFeminism is about encouraging respect and freedoms for women. Taking the freedom to choose to have an abortion away from women has NOTHING to do with feminism. The point of the CHOICE is missed. You should be able to choose to have one or choose to not too. It is not reasonable to assume that its a good for society to have children born to unwilling women.
This study, quoted in many anti choice and religious articles is definately lacking in proper data. The actual data survey (which isn't even referenced for checking) is a small slice of a single state. There is one vague reference to a 2009 Gallup poll (again not referenced) which had one point that coincides with the survey authors views. The fact that the other facts presented in the Gallup poll (on abortion) didn't really support the view was of course omited. I bet if the raw data was presented , the confidence interval probably exceeds the difference between the pro and anti choice percentage amounts; which of course would nullify the result.
- 5 votes
#5 - Sun May 23, 2010 8:16 PM EDTI am Pro-Life.
I have many personal reasons for my pro-life stance, which I cannot and would not share on NV. But, I have many family and friends who are pro-choice and pro- life.
- 4 votes
#6 - Sun May 23, 2010 8:54 PM EDTUSA4Him, I am Pro-Choice...like you I have family and friends who are on the other side of the issue, each of us having our own reasons for feeling as we do. I respect their stance, and they respect mine, we end up agreeing to disagree.
*smiles*
~Sara
- 5 votes
Pro-life feminists are like alcoholic prohibitionists or gay republicans. There's too much inherant conflict in their beliefs for them to be taken seriously.
- 6 votes
#8 - Mon May 24, 2010 9:35 AM EDTI'm sorry that you feel that way about both the first and the third items on your list. The conflict is only in your mind.
The conflict is in their beliefs. Feminism is centered around women's rights, including the right to choice. Therein lies the contradiction.
The same could be said for gay republicans. Republicans' current political policy revolves around free-market myth and judeo-christian morality, which doesn't play well with gay rights. Again, the contradiction.
- 5 votes
Feminism is centered around women's rights, including the right to choice. Therein lies the contradiction.
I understand what you see as a contradiction, but such outright dismissal seems unhelpful. Rather than write pro-life feminism off as simply another attempt at restricting women's access to abortion, perhaps such a group could help decrease the reasons women choose abortion, namely: poverty and unplanned pregnancy. From what I understand of the pro-life feminist arguments I've read, the latter is integral to their philosophy.
Personally, I'd like to see every pro-lifer (self-described feminists or not) out there doing everything humanly possible to make sure that every young person has access to comprehensive sex ed, free (yes, free) contraceptives that are safe and reliable (yes, let's fund some more research). Not only that, anyone calling themselves a feminist needs to also be working on addressing other things like the reasons for the disproportionate number of women (and consequently their children) living in poverty. At least health plans are now no longer going to be able to treat pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. /sarc/ What a perfect way to virtually guarantee a non-insured pregnant woman has an abortion. /sarc/
- 3 votes
Personally, I'd like to see every pro-lifer (self-described feminists or not) out there doing everything humanly possible to make sure that every young person has access to comprehensive sex ed, free (yes, free) contraceptives that are safe and reliable (yes, let's fund some more research).
If that's the definition of a pro-lifer than I've been one for my whole life. I advocate the woman's right to choose, but I also advocate the practice of contraceptives (since we all know that abstinance-only teaching is somewhat less than successful).
- 4 votes
Arad, I would say your stance makes you pro-choice. I was more trying to point out the sad fact that a huge number of "pro-life" people don't do nearly enough to prevent the #1 cause of abortions, which is unplanned pregnancy.
- 2 votes
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