Your world too, after you choose to vote for Donald Trump, if you have a body with a uterus — or love a person who does.
Having a uterus is dangerous because you have no control over your fate. The Supreme Court took your decisions away from you now; electing him will take away your future. You are no longer a full citizen of your own nation.
Your future looks terribly like the life of a friend of mine in the 1950s. Young, in love, she wasn’t careful. She became a “slut” the moment people knew she was pregnant. The father - worried his future would be ruined, his reputation sullied (it had nothing to do with her) - denied their unprotected encounter. The only birth control available, condoms, were sold in drug stores behind the pharmacy counter, to adult males only — too much trouble for him. Her dreams of a career were over. Or she could pretend she was the child’s sister, give it up for adoption, secretly, or seek an illegal abortion. Death was a likely outcome, or at best, sterility.
She could attempt some of the home remedies whispered about: deliberately falling down the stairs, riding horseback, coat hangers.
It was the beginning of women’s lib, but sex education was far behind. “Aspirin works for birth control,” we were told, “As long as you hold it between your knees”. Women of my generation had only one sure path — abstinence. Young men, on the other hand, had many, none of which involved taking responsibility for an unwanted baby.
Women might try Coca-Cola or vinegar; some thought standing up during sex would prevent pregnancy, others that it was safe the first time (a favorite of young men intent on seduction). Jumping up and down after sex or washing or douching were whispered about but were also not much fun and not effective. Thought slightly sinful, avoiding fertile times of the month pretty much ruined spontaneity and didn’t work too well.
Birth control was condemned by both church and state. Even when the pill was finally developed, and legal, it was unavailable to the unmarried, and required a doctor’s prescription in those states where it was permitted. https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/ss/slideshow-birth-control-history
Even for married couples, birth control was condemned by the Catholic church and by many states. It was the duty of wives to be available for sex on demand, but not the duty of the husband to prevent pregnancy. Male dominated church and state have always wanted to control women’s bodies, revealing a deep-seated fear of women — or perhaps of their own sexuality.
Women have used birth control clandestinely for centuries, methods frowned on by men who either wanted heirs to carry on the family name or workers for the family farm or business.
Mothers would nurse babies for extended a time. They tried herbal infusions that frequently either failed or killed the mother, or got her burned at the stake.
Today, thanks to the Supreme Court, if you’re single, sex is pretty dangerous — your autonomy gone, you must always be ready to welcome the next pregnancy, and hope nothing goes wrong – if it does, you’ll probably die. If you’re in a relationship, plan on a kid a year. Should you be the victim of rape… well, tough.
Couples should plan on buying large cars. Imagine your drive up north with your seven little dumplings in the back of your van. Imagine the grocery bill! Oh, and mom will not be able to hold a job — no childcare. Not to mention the already too high mortality rate of pregnant and post-partum women. Graveyards will need to open new spaces as well.
Welcome to my world, young voters. Justices Thomas and Alito have said they want to outlaw contraception; abortion rights are already lost. And as president, Trump will no doubt have opportunity to further pack the court system. Michigan will quickly lose its abortion rights and probably its contraceptive choices as well. Think carefully before voting and maybe you won’t have to think quite so carefully before a night out.
As for myself, I’m investing in baby formula.
— Sharon Kourous is a member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good of all. She is a former teacher and resides in Monroe. She can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com.
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