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Regulating What We Don’t Understand

The Washington Post has a brilliant opinion piece about regulating pregnancy, which, by default, talks about infertility as well. People don’t understand how pregnancy works. They don’t understand that you can’t move an ectopic pregnancy. They don’t understand that you can’t pee on a stick immediately after sex and know whether or not you’re pregnant. They don’t understand how cycles work or periods happen or uteruses function because they won’t speak about these things. They’ll only regulate them. Or, at the very least, form an opinion within their lack of information.

She sums up the whole problem in a single sentence: “There’s another reason that has nothing to do with the law: If you don’t understand how female bodies work, you might end up believing some really harmful things about women.”

Go read the whole piece. (But not the comment section.)

8 comments

1 Lori Lavender Luz { 05.19.19 at 4:47 pm }

It seems to be behind a paywall for me, but I can see how not having information or, even worse, relying on WRONG information to make policy decisions would have a TON on unintended consequences. What’s that I learned in a computer programming class awhile back? GIGO.

Duh.

2 Jess { 05.19.19 at 9:23 pm }

I liked this article, but it makes me so mad. I don’t know how so many people can be so interested in regulating pregnancy, but have no clue how it happens, what’s needed for survival, what postpartum looks like, how you find out, or the anatomy of the female body. It also irks me that that it truly is the female body that is at stake here, since a lawmaker stated that fertilized embryos in labs for IVF don’t count for the Alabama bill, because “they’re not in a women, she’s not pregnant.” Which means that controlling women is at the center, not post-conception life forms. It astounds me. I also hate that many of the same legislators who push for restricted access to abortion push for restricted access to contraception, and vote against things like subsidized daycare and universal preK and early intervention and things like that. I think my favorite thing that I saw on this development was along the lines of, “Why don’t they use ‘thoughts and prayers’ to fight abortion, since that’s what they use for gun violence that kills actual live children.” Ouch. But also, solid point.

I don’t understand why, in 2019, the female body is still so shrouded in mystery and so “icky” to people. That “hold it” menstruation piece made me choke a bit. And also, would that you could move an ectopic pregnancy.

3 Counting Pink Lines { 05.20.19 at 11:56 am }

Ugh, all these laws are making me soo mad! The people making them have zero concept of how reproduction actually works!

And as Jess said, it makes zero sense that you’re for abortion restrictions but also against good healthcare. and universal childcare. and good education. and access to birth control.

Watching the Oscar winning documentary “Period” was so informative about how misconceptions can persist. But also, my god, we’re in a developed country where the majority of people believing such things have the luxury of an education. Not knowing the basics of reproduction or being able to say the word placenta — that’s just ridiculous.

4 Sharon { 05.20.19 at 12:07 pm }

I agree so much with this article! As a former RN and a mother via DE and IVF, I understand more about the female human reproductive system than most people, but I am continually amazed at the things that even educated people do not understand about the basics of female anatomy and cycles! It’s disturbing.

5 nicoleandmaggie { 05.20.19 at 7:42 pm }

Tuesday at noon there’s protests all around the country. I’m going to the one in the town next to mine. https://www.stopabortionbans.org/

6 Jjiraffe { 05.20.19 at 11:28 pm }

I’m not surprised by any of this. There is a sizable group of Americans who think the ideal situation for all women is the mom on the show 19 Kids and Counting. If you’ve seen that show you know what I mean. I know several of these people (all females, sadly). And I live in one of the most liberal areas of the country.

Action is the only option at this point. Nicole and Maggie (at Grumpy Rumblings) have lots of good tips, and specific actions to take. Donate, call, do what you can. This is a dangerous time for women.

7 Mali { 05.21.19 at 5:54 am }

Damn, that’s a good article. I agree with it completely. And the lack of knowledge is appalling, but sadly, understandable. Women’s bodies are good to look at, apparently, but their functions are to be ignored and dismissed.

8 loribeth { 05.30.19 at 6:19 pm }

I totally & completely agree!

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