La Kane: i hate to say it, but i appreciate america so much more when i read shit like this…
On a more somber note, a recent op-ed by everyone’s favorite some-timey radical Nicholas Kristof speaks to the devastating effects of some more of those without options: a glaring 70 to 80 million children are born to mothers who have very little recourse in the way of birth control. Apparently, the mother, Nahomie Necure, highlighted in this piece
…[Is] an intelligent 30-year-old woman who wanted only two children, yet now she is eight months pregnant with her 10th.
To you and I, perhaps this seems a little contradictory (did that on purpose). Intelligent but pregnant with her eighth child after the two she wanted? No way of saying ‘no’ to not just one but two husbands? No advanced birth control methods that would (pardon the crudeness of this expression) allow her spouse to ejaculate in her without running the risk of yet another baby not able to be provided for?
This, sadly, seems to be the way of more than 50 countries that suffer not only from severe poverty but also, subsequently, some serious depriving of human rights, specifically, Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as established by the United Nations, which states that
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Upon reading that article of the UDHR, it would seem to protect some of the very same rights La Kane and I (and many of you), take for granted: the DIGNITY to have the OPTION to choose those provisions ‘indispensable’ for her (and communal) development. There is an assumption that the social state in which she resides will guarantee her a system where, regardless of federal opinion on this matter, will allow the security to protect not only her offsprings’ best interest but to also consider the effect on general society. How can a people expect to progress when they are not even able to provide the basics? Kristof writes:
…The mounting academic evidence underscores what is intuitively obvious in Haiti: unless family planning is more successful in poor countries, they won’t be able to overcome poverty.
Although it isn’t implicitly stated, the target of the contraception reform/aid is geared towards women who have lost their collective voices in the name of life. Reformers intend to regain a sense of ownership to a largely patriarch leveled planet. But before you third wave feminists bust out your matches and bras…think again.
Even in America, where we, supposedly, have so much access to all depths and advancement of planning resources and so forth, there are some who want a return to the obsolete and restrictive basics that is Necure and her underdeveloped country ilk. So wrote a contributor about a growing patriarch/mass motherhood movement some time ago in the States to the e-zine Salon, Kathryn Joyce,
…Quiverfull women accept as many children as God gives them as a demonstration of their radical faith and obedience as well as a means to advance his kingdom…It’s a cross-denominational movement among evangelical and fundamentalist Protestants who have adopted some Catholic arguments against contraception and who have spread their ideas through the [conservative community].
How…simply astounding is this juxtaposition of these two worlds? The subject of this particular article, Vyckie Garrison, actually chose to remove herself from the fundamental movement after 7 children (three with a rare bone disease), difficult pregnancies and an increasingly more difficult marriage, citing growing concerns about the well being of her children and herself. Money matters weren’t gone into as much but we can presume some pockets were getting stretched pretty tight. Same sentiments we hear echoed in Necure’s story. Garrison is said to be experiencing times that were sometimes “exhilarating” since leaving her overbearing spouse. Where do we hear or even expect to see Necure look forward to an attitude of the same?
There is one major cardinal difference between the two scenarios: the fact that Garrison could choose (or not choose) to lead this lifestyle, whereas Necure cannot. Say what you will about the Duggars (’A Whole Fuckin’ Gang of Kids…and COUNTING!’)-the mere fact that our society upholds not only their RIGHT to but dignity to do so as they please (and not be subject to abject poverty) should make you appreciate this rag-tag operation a little bit more, too.
You know, I’m pretty no-holds barred when it comes to reproduction, simply because while I am pro-choice, I just feel like people should be more responsible and mindful of the consequences of their choices - the choice to “like it raw” and the choice to abort.
Having said that, it stops me on a dime when I read shit like the story of the Haitian woman because I’m like, they don’t even HAVE a choice. Women are so demoralized and objectified - that’s some objectification for yo ASS… damn letting a dude slide a credit card down the crack of yo ass, these women ain’t shit more than sperm catchers and baby incubators - that they don’t have a say, and those that do, I mean… they don’t last long. What can you say to that?
I think it’s obvious that poverty is greatly affected by families who cannot stop having children and in these areas where the women have no say, are silenced and treated like nothing, it’s a losing battle.
What can we do? Offer secret birth control shots? Would the women be beaten if they’re spotted at the clinic? Murdered? I just don’t know, and I get a little emotional at the thought of having NO control over my own sexual health and reproductive abilities.
Like I said to you earlier today, shit like this makes me appreciate America that much more.