There is something too real about The Handmaid's Tale now - I can't bring myself to watch it. I can't help but think that the very people that need to understand the reality of reproductive servitude would never watch it. Our bodies are our bodies - they do not belong to the state, they do not belong to the church and then do not belong to anyone else. We must keep fighting for that sentiment.
The need to control reproduction is integral to the upward mobility and often the survival of families. All families - the need for reproductive health care crosses all socioeconomic levels, all religions, and all political parties. Abortion has been a part of society for thousands of years and will always be, as long as people who do not want to be pregnant get pregnant. Education and contraceptive access is the biggest component to decreasing abortion rates - but it will never do away with the need altogether. That is just reality. People of means will always have options, a European vacation, a trip to Mexico or Canada, or a family friend willing to help out. Middle class and poor people are left at the mercy of what ever nightmare scenario state legislators have dreamed up that year. Due to the onerous regulations and requirements as well as the obvious security need - the price of abortion care is often out of reach.
I think it's time for a little reflection - why is *this* issue - the issue? Who benefits from restricted reproductive freedom? Why do people put up with such an intrusion in to their private, medical decisions? Why do politicians feel they have any right to even speak on the subject, let alone pass laws about it? How is forced pregnancy not some sort of involuntary servitude? These questions keep me up at night.
So readers that have made it this far (first off - gold star for you!) - the message is this - we have no choice now but to fight. Fight for ourselves and the generations that comes next. We need to assure that reproductive health care is available, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
The need to control reproduction is integral to the upward mobility and often the survival of families. All families - the need for reproductive health care crosses all socioeconomic levels, all religions, and all political parties. Abortion has been a part of society for thousands of years and will always be, as long as people who do not want to be pregnant get pregnant. Education and contraceptive access is the biggest component to decreasing abortion rates - but it will never do away with the need altogether. That is just reality. People of means will always have options, a European vacation, a trip to Mexico or Canada, or a family friend willing to help out. Middle class and poor people are left at the mercy of what ever nightmare scenario state legislators have dreamed up that year. Due to the onerous regulations and requirements as well as the obvious security need - the price of abortion care is often out of reach.
I think it's time for a little reflection - why is *this* issue - the issue? Who benefits from restricted reproductive freedom? Why do people put up with such an intrusion in to their private, medical decisions? Why do politicians feel they have any right to even speak on the subject, let alone pass laws about it? How is forced pregnancy not some sort of involuntary servitude? These questions keep me up at night.
So readers that have made it this far (first off - gold star for you!) - the message is this - we have no choice now but to fight. Fight for ourselves and the generations that comes next. We need to assure that reproductive health care is available, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
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