Why abortion and birth-control methods can reinforce gender inequality within society
I’ve heard many times from people that birth control and abortion are amazing paths to allow girls to live their lives without unwanted pregnancies. Abortion, more specifically, is seen as the solution when birth control methods fall short.
This is not a conservative text, and I’m not going to present a pro-life discourse. In fact, my point is NOT about women’s decisions or the right to give birth or not. The question that always remains in my mind regarding these issues is the societal perception of raising children and being a parent, especially a mother.
Why does a woman decide not to proceed with a pregnancy? In short, because she believes having a child will disrupt her future — and, in some ways, she is right. Motherhood involves changing diapers, enduring sleepless nights, breastfeeding, feeding, spending time, money, and efforts to educate, play, teach, and raise a little person. Nowadays, this reality seems incompatible with the working success and personal freedom we all desire.
However, this perspective can conceal and perpetuate prejudice against… mothers! When pregnancy is viewed as inconvenient, it reaffirms the notion that having a child is a problem, and only women without children can achieve their goals. Men, on the other hand, continue with their lives, earning higher wages, evading responsibility when they impregnate a woman, and being promoted in their jobs primarily because they can’t bear a child. The blame still falls on us — women, or rather, mothers. Gender inequality is reinforced by the lack of support for mothers.
We need a more inclusive society for mothers, particularly concerning the working culture. Having a child should not be a barrier to professional success. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Mothers cannot stand this alone. Businesses, public policies, and communities can play a role in providing support at various levels. Additionally, men should equally share caregiving and child-rearing responsibilities — and share domestic chores equally as well. Organizational cultures should be prepared to support this.
Abortion and birth control may be the consequences of deeper problems, which a substantial one is the lack of support for women who decide to become mothers. I dream of a future where women can be whoever they want to be — and this includes embracing motherhood within and outside of the workplace.
