I just finished reading an article by Ellen Goodman that suggests all this talk about SC nominee John Roberts' wife is completely worthless. The fact that she has been involved with for Feminists for Life has no bearing on whether John Roberts will vote to uphold Roe on the Supreme Court.
It got me thinking, how much influence do political wives really have on their office-holding husbands? Judging from our first ladies Bush, not much when it comes to choice specifically. Barbara Bush was long-known to be pro-choice, and Laura has publicly stated she does not believe Roe should be overturned, but their husbands have actively sought to limit abortion rights and access to birth control in this country and overseas. It is obviously not an issue they consider to be a deal-breaker.
I remember a conversation with a young pro-choice Republican woman about how can she justify voting and working for a party that is extremely anti-choice and anti-feminist, and her response was "Those aren't my top issues." She went on to make some kind of comment about jobs and the economy being her top issues.
But, if it weren't for the feminist movement, this woman would not be able to participate in society the way she is right now and will continue to in the future. While I believe the feminist movement needs to and is growing and changing, I believe seeing feminism as disconnected from jobs, the economy, health care, etc. is a huge mistake.
Which begs another question, how can pro-choice women marry anti-choice men?
1 comment:
Now this brings up a good point: if we are good liberals and think liberally, respect all and accept diversity (like non-choice wackos), should we have to accept anti-choice partners? Obviously I think not. And how can feminism not be the most important issue: it's all-encompassing. It embodies the environment, privacy, economy, family and all other ideals that both democrats and republicans hold dear. Would there be such an honest blog if it weren't for our foremothers?
Wow, I'm getting pretty deep for a Friday afternoon!
Good first entry - got me thinking!
Post a Comment