Reproductive Rights

Reproductive Rights by: Francisca Lara, Naomi Junkins & Alessandra Imazio

Part IThe Pill

THE PILL(BUM BUM BUM) COCP- combined oral contraceptive pill (known as birth control pill or "the pill") -first approved in 1960 by the USA. -currently used by over 100 million women, about 12 million women in the USA -20-40% in Europe -2% Korea -30% Thailand -8% Singapore -Women are excepted to be on the pill!

Pros of the Pill........ -lighter periods -decrease risk of STDs -No BABIES.....well maybe 99% to 1% -regulate menstrual cycle

Cons of the Pill...... -Blood clots -Side effects(mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness) -(Rare) but it can cause hepatic cancer and non cancerous tumors. -Ummm....you can still get pregnant. Just saying -Could cause an abortion

Do you really need birth control??

Part II Sterilization As a Form of Birth Control and Different Views

White and Colored Women’s Opinion on Sterilization •Two forms of sterilization: 1. Hysterectomy: the uterus is completely removed 2. Laparotomy(Tubal Sterilization): Tubes are cut and tied. •Tubal sterilization is the leading contraceptive method for black women, while the birth control pill is the method most often used by white women. •The National Survey of Family Growth, which provides nationally representative data of women aged 15–44 years, says that 22% of black women have been sterilized compared to 15% of white women. •All the factors that shaped African-American and white women’s decisions about tubal sterilization were personal factors. •Women stated that their health care provider or system was not influencing them on their decision. Rather they were acting as barriers once their decision has been made.

•Women stated that their health care provider or system was not influencing them on their decision. Rather they were acting as barriers once their decision has been made. •Key factors as to why women chose sterilization: –Done with childbearing •desired size or gender make-up reached •Age •Difficulties associated with child-rearing –Sense of control –Addictions(only in African American group) –Family influence

"Everything I Know I Learned from My Mother...or Not": Perspectives of African-American and White Women on Decisions About Tubal Sterilization 2009

•The barriers they identified were: –Provider-level barriers –System-level barriers Unconsented Sterilization on Ethnic Groups •“more than20 years since testimony against the practice at the united nations, indigenous women in mexico and other latin American nations are still routinely sterilized without their consent” •There is a double-edged blade: –one side carries a sharpened edge that has cut away at women’s right and ability to bear children, our next generation. •inflicted invisible abuse and violence because we cant look at each other and know who is sterilized –other edge of blade is silence •silenced because of fear and shame

•Women can be sterilized at any time and not know. •The two processes: Hysterectomy and Tubal Sterilization –Hysterectomy: can be performed at any time, including immediately after childbirth or at the time of a caesarian. •Not reversible –Tubal Sterilization: done under a general anesthesia and can also be done at the time of delivery. •Reversible

•One reason why these procedures where done was, “some physicians and hospital staff compared the socioeconomic status of American Indians with their own perspectives and standards of class, often midlle to upper-middle class. Therefore, they believed that Native wome, with their low socioeconomic status, could not possibly support their children with a decent life."

Part III Reproductive Rights vs. Reproductive Justice

Who should have a say in our personal reproductive choices? Who decides who can have kids and how many?

“Our national welfare costs are rising phenomenally, and blacks cannot hope to acquire a larger share of American Prosperity without cutting down births” - An Arkansas Democrat in support of Family Planning Programs 1960's

What Can History Tell Us? Why is it that there is a lack of support from the ethnic minorities in the movement for access to birth control, legalized abortion and family planning programs if it appears that it would help them the most?

Reproductive Rights or Systematic Oppression? • Legislation • Angle: population control, not for equality • Perception: The poor have a responsibility to not reproduce. • Does this take away a woman’s right to be a mother? • History of abuse of the laws • ex: forced sterilization • Limitations on availability

Birth Control = War on Poverty Birth Control =/= Women's Rights The poor are the enemy

What is Reproductive Justice? • The right to choose to have children or not • The right for parents and children to live in a safe, healthy environment • For women to have full control over their bodies • To understand the structural constraints of power • Based on fundamental human rights • the right to make our own life decisions • Government & society have an obligation to provide the resources necessary to implement personal life decisions equally • Goes beyond legalized abortions and access to birthcontrol • Economic oppression • Racisms, Sexism, Expoitation of women's bodies

How are women of color working towards reproductive Justice now?

"In my mind, reproductive care is essential care. It is basic care..." -President Obama

References • "Not Women's Rights: Birth Control as Poverty Control in Arkansas" by Melanie K. Welch • "The Last Abortion Clinic" PBS Fontline Presentation • Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis • Ch 12: Racism, Birth Control and Reproductive Right • Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice By Sarah Lucia Hoagland • http://www.solidarity-us.org/current/node/272 • http://www.sistersong.net/ • Borrero, S. , Nikolajski, C. , Rodriguez, K. , Creinin, M. , Arnold, R. , et al. (2009). "everything i know i learned from my mother...or not": Perspectives of african-american and white women on decisions about tubal sterilization. JGIM: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 24(3). • Carpio, M. (2004). The lost generation: American indian women and sterilization abuse. Social Justice, 31(4).

Reproductive Rights