Category: Open Thought
-
Betty White, Dolly Parton, Coco Chanel, Stevie Nicks, and Rosa Parks: A Woman’s Legacy Goes Beyond Motherhood
Women are often asked who will carry on their name if they do not have children. Less often are they asked what they want that name to represent. Betty White. Dolly Parton. Coco Chanel. Stevie Nicks. Rosa Parks. Their names offer a different way to think about legacy. Through television, music, business, fashion, and activism,…
-
When Men Want Children More Than Women: Promises, Responsibility, and $113.4 Billion in Unpaid Child Support
By L.A. Loss & Abortion Doula “I want a baby” can sound like a promise of a future together. For a woman considering a pregnancy, though, there is another conversation worth having: What will that person contribute when the baby is here? Research examining American fertility goals found that men were more likely than women…
-
Abortion and Suicide Risk: What a California Medi-Cal Study Found
Conversations about abortion should leave room for honest questions about mental health. One frequently cited study using California Medi-Cal records reported a higher rate of suicide deaths among women who had abortions compared with women who delivered. Understanding that finding requires looking at both the numbers and the study’s limitations. What the Researchers Found Published…
-
Celibacy Is Sexier Than Abortion
There is something attractive about a woman who knows what she wants, understands what she is unwilling to risk, and can say no without negotiating against herself. A woman can desire a man and still decide that sleeping with him does not fit the future she is building. She can enjoy attention without offering access.…
-
A Baby Cannot Guarantee That a Man Will Stay
By L.A. Loss & Abortion Doula “Once the baby comes, he’ll settle down.” “He wants a child, so he must be serious about you.” “Having a family will bring you closer.” These statements offer reassurance, but they promise something pregnancy cannot guarantee: a man’s commitment. A man can want a baby without being prepared to…
-
F#ck Like You Live in Georgia
Before you have sex with a man, ask yourself: If I became pregnant by this man, would I trust him with what comes next? Would I want to raise a child with him? Could I depend on him during a medical emergency? Would he respect my decisions? If the relationship ended tomorrow, would I still…
-
Reclaiming Your Reproductive Autonomy
Empowered Choices: Reclaiming Your Reproductive Autonomy Dear Black Woman, Note: Let me set the stage a little bit. This message is written only for the women landing here because they are seeking abortion services — not for the general public. Something brought you here, and this message is for you. (This isn’t focused on situations…
-
Honoring Adriana Smith and the Complexities of Reproductive Autonomy
What Adriana Smith’s Case Teaches Us About Bodily Autonomy and the Power of a Will: (By a Full Spectrum Doula Who Supports Women Through Life’s Deepest Transitions) As a full spectrum doula, my role is to support women and families through some of life’s most profound transitions. The recent case of Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old…