The Sexism of Sterilization & Abortions
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Politics and Activism

The Sexism of Sterilization & Abortions

Female vs Male Sterilization, and the Societal Abortion Sexism

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The Sexism of Sterilization & Abortions

Men discussing their nuts being clipped is as normal as people changing their underwear every day. It's as if we congratulate and high-five men for impregnating women, becoming a dad, and then taking the next step to end the reproductive timeline. Yet, when women discuss sterilization, it's as taboo as discussing abortions. God forbid that women should have a decision over their own bodies.

I recently went through a procedure to remove my fallopian tubes. This wasn't a decision because my husband refused a vasectomy. In fact, he received a vasectomy. This was a decision that I wanted to make for myself because I deserve that right. Like all women should. Because I know if I had become pregnant again under the pretense of it being an oopsy, I would be running to the clinic for an abortion. Oh no! I said the abortion word.

Just because I am married and have children already of my own, does not mean that I need to have more children. My husband and I can choose this because we know what works best for us as a family and as a married couple. So again, yes, had I fallen pregnant then I would receive an abortion. But due to today's Handmaid-like abortion Nazis, I feared never being able to utilize my right to my own body.

Upon this discussion about my own sterilization desire, a lot of glares and head turns came right back at me. No one was applauding me, congratulating or giving me high-fives. Instead, I received judgment from other women, yet funny enough I received the congratulatory nod from men.

I understand that a woman's procedure to sterilize herself is more invasive than a man's. However, that shouldn't be the defining moment for women deciding to choose their own sterilization method. Why can't women choose what they want for their own bodies, which ultimately contributes to their own futures? Why are women who scream and profess "Support other Women," then fill judgment remarks over other women wanting to protect themselves, their bodies, and their choices? Why can't women practice what they preach?

I'm about to throw myself into the only boys club because I'm quite tired of every move I make being judged because I am a woman. And honestly, why do contraceptive methods fall on women? Why must women set an alarm on their phones each day as a daily reminder to take birth control? Why should we receive IUDs or other contraceptives? Why do OBGYNs have this need to ask us, women, after giving birth about our next contraceptive method? Why are we NOT asking men? Why are we not advancing in technology where men also have to be responsible for the reproductive timeline?

Why do abortions fall on women? Shit, I thought sex took two individuals. Men should also be thrown shade for getting a woman pregnant, or in their words, knocked up. Why are women shamed for their one-night stands, when men get another congratulatory high-five from their buddies? Men today, who impregnate a woman, should also face the same penalty if the woman decides to get an abortion. Why are we leaving men out of this equation? Better yet, why are men always left out of the equation when women are involved?

Funny how we have this MeToo movement, yet we continue to allow women to fall victim to a man's actions. So let's keep congratulating them and boosting dick egos, while women have to fear sterilization due to societal judgments or becoming pregnant.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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