> Huh? How does this work? Are you arguing that it's patriarchy that
denies
> abortion rights _and_ that it's also patriarchy that provides abortions?
No, Michael, not at all. I'm arguing that the patriarchal system of values embedded in our social, cultural, legal, political, religious traditions/institutions, have and continue to have overpowering "opinions" about the sexuality of women. These "opinions" (social pressures/norms/constraints) about how, when, with whom to have (not have) sex, about how to define sexuality and its standards, etc, creates an environment for girls/women where many more unwanted pregnancies present themselves than would otherwise be the case. If information on reproduction/sexuality/contraception and contraceptive methods is not free flowing, if we're not truthful and open about the natural and social pressures that guide/dictate our sexual behavior because it steps on the toes of our traditions and institutions, then lots of unwanted pregnancies are inevitable. So then what? Deal with it? Legal/illegal abortion? These traditions and institutions drenched with archaic patriarchal values, result in an increased need -- than would be the case in the absence of those pressures -- for women to use abortion to remain within social norms. No, patriarchy does not provide abortions, and yes, patriarchy does attempt to deny abortion rights, whether legally or through social pressures/norms.
Of course, unplanned pregnancies will never go away, but perhaps with an erosion of the patriarchal values that increase them, the unwanted part will become negligible.
All best, Diane
(wow, lots of snow here...barely made it home)
It
> sure sounds that way. Personally, I understand the feminist argument to
be
> that abortion will go away when unwanted pregnancies go away (meaning,
> pretty much, never).
Anyway, how does patriarchy force women to have
> abortions?