politics & the office--just don't mix

[novapsyche]

So my boss is talking to our receptionist (who happens to be male) and strains of their conversation is wafting through the department. I hear:

"And he says that he believes that life begins at conception. Well, biologically, what else happens then?"

I say fairly audibly, "Now, see, that's something I think shouldn't be discussed in the office." But my boss's office is some cubes down, so he almost certainly didn't hear me (though my officemates did).

The receptionist: "Right."

My boss: "Now, he says life begins at conception, but he's for abortion."

I speak up quite loudly: "No, he's not 'for abortion,' he's for the right to choose. They're not necessarily the same thing."

Still don't think my boss heard me, though the rest of his conversation was difficult to discern.

It's difficult for me, as a woman who has had an abortion, to discuss it in the clinically dead tones one is supposed to when talking politics.

When I heard that Kerry said that he believed life began at conception, I was more than a little disappointed. But he regained his position in my sight when he said that he didn't believe in legislating his personal beliefs onto everyone else. That I can respect. That, to me, is the morally superior position.

Of course, as a woman and a feminist, I don't think men should have such power over such issues in the first place. I don't like being sexist, but this is one area where I cannot help but be.

Also, I'd like to add that I'm tired of abortions being women's dirty little secret. Several million women get abortions every year. Yet it's so rare to hear the procedure discussed among everyday people. I remember getting acquainted with my brother's fiance, and her relating to me her two abortions. We were not in earshot of anyone, but still she whispered the information to me.

The procedure is legal. It amazes me how stigmatized the women who get abortions are. I don't think rapists are so stigmatized (at least not date rapists).

Edit: This topic has been taken up in this thread in philosophy.

Comments

[prema.livejournal.com]

Because it feels good.

yes it does :)
But the thing is, I find many women who are pro-choice dismiss the consequences as accidents, unexpected events in nature. Oh it was an accident? Well no it isn't - every contraceptive product out there comes with its set of statistics to say that it is entirely possible to still have a baby despite the best laid plans. We're talking bout consensual sex here of course.

A pregnancy should never be called an accident - its just our bodies doing exactly what its supposed to do. I also feel strongly that the vast majority of decisions made to have an abortion is because of the weak social structure in place to help women raise children either as a single mother, or in circumstances they deemed as.. "wrong". Not to mention the instances where the woman is not in a steady relationship or marriage. Part of the prochoice campaign should also move to help provide for women who choose NOT to have an abortion - they're not doing that. My decision was influenced greatly by my society, my family's ultra-conservative and admittedly, my own feelings that I am not in the right "place" in my life to raise a child. It is my only regret - and while I realise that I am being selfish to want to have other things in life rather than face the responsibility of child-rearing, i also know that had I had that child - I would be in unimaginable domestic-social chaos. :-\

It's just a really really complex issue. I certainly don;t agree with all-male legislators trying to decide what we choose to do. But if it happens to be a team of all-male legislators who are sympathetic to pro-choice principles, then I don't we would be complaining either. It's just a matter of getting the right people in office rather than the right gender (this is another hot spot with me and feminism :)

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

A pregnancy should never be called an accident - its just our bodies doing exactly what its supposed to do.

This sounds like a catch phrase. I do think some pregnancies can be termed accidents, especially if you've done all that you can to make sure that it doesn't occur.

I was an accident. Of course, my mom calls me her "surprise".

It's just a matter of getting the right people in office rather than the right gender (this is another hot spot with me and feminism :)

Don't get me wrong--I know full well that there are male feminists out there. (My Feminist Philosophy course was taught by a man, a very thoughtful man who I would definitely consider a feminist.) In general, though, men pick up feminist ideals secondhand, and there's often some resistance. In a male-dominated society, it's easier for a man to stay situated in his own realm of perception.