Question for DU women under age 40

[PlanetBev]

I'm 55 and got involved in abortion rights in 1976, the first presidential campaign after Roe. Abortion wasn't legalized until I was already out of college, so I remember the bad old days well enough.

I know that many of the women of your age group grew up with the idea that safe abortion would always be an option for them and that it could never be taken away. Do you think that women in your generation are prepared and willing to fight to keep it legal? The truth is, after 30 years of fighting this, I'm fearful that the under 40 set are too busy, distracted or too complacent to care or see what is happening in this country. A friend of mine suggested that nobody under 40 is willing to put down their Ipods long enough to do anything about this and are very comfortable with giving up their rights. Hope this isn't the truth.

[acmejack]

1. Just watching to see if anyone even replies.

I remember how hard the fight was. Women (and men) really did fight for women to be permitted speak for their own body. On the face of it kind of the most basic of human rights wouldn't you agree? Lots of old fat white men wouldn't for reasons obscure to me.

[Maat]

2. Good question - I'm interested in the responses.

Sorry - I'm 47, so I'll keep quiet from here on out (by the way, I fought for reproductive rights once, and am jumping right in to do it again)!

[niyad]

3. Like you, I have been involved in this fight since the early 70's-back in

the days of back-alley abortions, self-induced abortions with things like knitting needles, lye, coathangers, etc., and all the attendant horrors. I know I speak for many of our generation when I say that, whether the younger women are with us or not, many of us will continue to fight until our dying breaths.

Northern Sun still carries the coathanger with the slash through it--a button I was hoping would never be necessary again.

NEVER AGAIN NEVER AGAIN NEVER AGAIN

[Maat]

18. I'm right there with you! (n/t)

[gaspee]

4. I'm 36

And have never had kids and do not plan to. I'm tired of fighting. I did the marches and the protested and the ant-anti-choice protests when I was in my teens and twenties, and then up until recently. I'm tired. There wasn't a 20 something to be seen working for change in the last few years.

I'm proud to call myself a feminist and don't care what other term people who don't like that term would apply to me. If women today don't care enough, or think they're treated on par with men and all the work has been done... well, I hope they wake up soon.

For me, I'm tired. I'm established. I fought the fight. In a few months I might be reenergized, but right now, I'm tired. Of just about everything political. Not just women's rights to be treated as a fully functioning human being and not just "to serve man as man serves god" -- because that's where we are headed and people need to wake up.

[RamblingRose]

9. So what would you do if you found yourself with an unexpected pregnancy

since you said you never plan to have kids, would you let the govenement tell you you have to have the baby?

I'm 38 and I'll be there fighting all the way!!!

Don't give up!!!! If not us, then who?!

[Debi]

5. I didn't think about it until 2001

When I got involved in a primary race between a Democrat who believed in a women's right to make her own reproductive health care choices and a republican turned Democrat for the primary race who had actually been sued in Federal Court for blocking building permits for Planned Parenthood (she was Mayor of the town at the time). Since then women's rights have been chiseled away here by the legislature and by 'pro-life' Democrats. Now it's just getting freaky!

[PlanetBev]

6. Some facts

Legalized abortion did not spring out of the Women's Movement, it was the other way around. Abortion reform begin because of the Thalidomide tragedy of 1962 and the German Measels epidemic that came about around the same time. States started to reform their abortion laws in 1966 and the Women's Rights Movement was kicked off around 1969.

[shoelace414]

7. I'm not a woman but I'm under 40 and

I have no concept of abortion being illegal. It's as foreign to me as riding a wagon train across america to get to California.

[Generator]

8. I think this is typical human nature sad to say

Like with everything else going on-it's always when it's too late and it affects YOU personally that you start to really pay attention. I'm 43 and it was always there for me-luckily never had an unwanted pregnancy. It's so sad because it always comes down to money and the poorest will suffer the most. I always made sure I had enough money for an abortion-enough money in the bank for that-but most likely it will just come to be outlawed in some states and that puts such an unfair burden on the poorest that can't afford to travel to get one. I have a daughter and I worry-but damn I will do my damdest to make sure if we have to fly to a decent country even-she will be able to get one if she needs. And yes-if it was my state I would be in the streets and if it was my state-I would seriously consider leaving. Again-money-it's not always so easy. That's why I get so furious at those that use this issue-the lawmakers-who have money-equity-pensions-their kid will never have to worry. Money changes everything.

If they did overturn Roe would the masses of women be in the streets day after day? What would happen? Push comes to shove.

Take for granted-I think younger women do take for granted what gains we've made. And there has been such a backlash for the last ten years.

[RubyDuby in GA]

10. I'm in my 30s and I will fight

Choice is my # 1 issue of choice. And that's what it's all about: choice and control.

I can't speak for the younger ones.

[WePurrsevere]

11. Although I'm almost 46 I have two daughters, 24 & 28, who are VERY...

pro-choice and vocal about it. They were brought up to cherish and not to take for granted ANY of their civil rights whether it's voting or choice.

Although I rarely talk with her I think my youngest will fight (although perhaps more quietly since her husband may not be as pro-choice as she is) and I know for a fact that my eldest daughter will fight flat out for choice and is ticked that there's a threat to it. She is expecting a daughter herself in mid April (her sister is due in mid Oct) and she has told me in no uncertain terms that she wants her daughter to have the same rights and choices as she did. She's not able to get online until they can afford to get a landline but when she's visiting here she gets on for a while and always checks DU to see what's going on even though she's not a member YET... she's definately an ACTivist. :)

Hopefully there are more young women like her but even if not and your friend is right... there are still plenty of us older ones who may be in or nearing the point in life where we don't "need" that choice but still will fight for it for those who still so need that safe and legal choice.

[LizMoonstar]

I am 24 and I'm terrified.

I've been doing a little bit to help fight, but my main concern right now is protecting myself. Selfish, I know, but I only have enough financial and emotional resources to either fight for everyone or keep myself safe, and fighting for everyone leaves me open. I've been pregnant. I had an abortion at 20. I can't go through carrying a child because the hormones make me suicidal (literally - it's why I can't use hormonal BC).

Give me a few months to get my shit together - BCP/EC stockpile (which I would of course share), job so that I can actually start saving up the money to bail out of this country if need be, home abortion kit, gun (yes, I already know how to use one)- and then I'll be ready to start protesting out loud. Until then, I'm just preparing to be part of the 'railroad'.

[havocmom]

14. Learn as much as you can about the female body and signs of trouble

Along with how/where to get help if someone you know has problems from a botched procedure. I fear there are gonna be a lot of lives at risk and we all might be called on to get a sister to care in a hurry.

Educate yourselves about symptoms of infections and get a plan in your heads about where to get help. The very life of someone you care about could hang on your quick actions someday, sooner than we would like to think.

Build a safety net of knowledge and resources. Do it.

[BlueStorm]

17. I know this is going to sound like a stupid question

but are there websites that are specific to these types of symptoms?

Blu

[havocmom]

20. Might be but they may be hard to ferret out

Try google, check Planned Parenthood and other women's health sites

[Clark2008]

15. Question: I'm not allowed to be prescribed BC because

of my age and because I smoke.

Is there another way to get a hold of it?

[havocmom]

21. Why would you want to take the risk, considering your personal

health profile? If doctors don't want to give you something, it might just be because they have all that, you know, medical expertise and figure it would be more harm than good to some individuals?

There are other methods when the pill is a no no for some.

And why would anyone on a board want to give you info on how to score a drug without a perscriptions, which is illegal.

[MockSwede]

30. I second that one!

Better to get an IUD or use condoms or other forms. Please. Estrogens + smoking = pool of gasoline + matches. Good health care practitioners do want your good health to continue. (Please d/c/ the smoking, too.)

[LizMoonstar]

34. If you mean, for stockpiling for EC purposes,

if you tell your doctor that's what it's for (assuming you can trust them), they will probably write you a scrip for whatever's cheapest on the understanding that it will not be used for everyday BC. Depending on your area, they may just write you a multiple scrip for EC if you can get it filled in your area.

Otherwise, again, assuming that it's for stockpiling underground railroad purposes, ask PP, and talk to friends who may take the pill and have switched types - they may have leftovers that you all can pool together and tuck away.


However, if you're talking about getting on it for everyday without your doctor's approval, No. just no.

[Clark2008]

12. 36 here - and yes we did grow up to believe that.

It was always legal as far as I can remember (I was born in 1970, so it's legalization two years later was when I was two).

My mother, a nurse who fought for the legalization of abortion, says she cannot believe that all she fought for has come full circle and back to this: a bunch of stodgy ole men in suits and robes telling women what they can do with their bodies.

[havocmom]

13. Story about the college coed and the elderly couple on bus to march

for Planned Parenthood and Choice. I've told this here before, but it's a keeper and something for the younger set to consider:

Big march/rally planned in Phoenix several years ago. We managed to have many busses of marchers go there from Tucson. There was a very quiet elderly couple sitting near us.

A college coed, on her way to the water closet in the back of the bus, passed the elderly couple and commented on how happy she was to see people of their age participating in a march for something which was, so obviously, beyond their personal concerns. The old man smiled and looked down, knowing his wife would do the talking for them, he had probably heard it all before.

The elderly woman patted the coed's hand and gently said that they had been doing this for over 50 years and were glad SHE finally came along too.

It gave my teen-aged daughter much to chew on regarding what we think of as our rights, how fragile they are, and how much participating means to preserve them.

My daughter had already signed us up as volunteers to protect the periphery of the Planned Parenthood Clinic property when they knew they were gonna be hit with anti-choice demonstrators. We had done that early on many Saturday mornings when a Planned Parenthood mole would report the fundies were coming. We usually got the call late Friday night or the wee hours of Saturday. My night owl daughter NEVER failed to roll out of bed in the pre-dawn on Saturday if we had a boundary to protect. And I never felt prouder of her than those mornings, driving us both across town. Always felt the presence of my ol granny on those mornings. And marveled at how much like her, the great granddaughter she never met was turning out.

Some women under 40 don't take it for granted. Some started very young to understand and stand to defend. And some are still working in defense of women's health and choice.

We do need to enlist their help in the effort to wake more of their sisters to the dangers they face now.

[dusmcj]

16. all generations have this problem

I'm just past 40, and having grown up in a NY college town with a rich history of free concerts and potsmoking (if "the tripping fields" means anything to you, you'll know where it is) and having spent a fair amount of time occupying myself with political subjects, have been in close touch with many members of the "60's generation". I propose to you, or rather your friend, that just as gen X needs to drop their iPods and hit the street, I hope that the "60's generation" sells the Lexus SUV, tells their broker to take care of the retirement fund for a couple months, and makes its own appearance there. For all the pious flatulence emitted by Boomers about being alternative and philosophical and right-thinking, my perception is that for far too many of them (apart from what I view as the committed core, small in numbers, that is still fighting the same battles it started with 40 years ago) the prime motivators for participating in "the Movement" were to get stoned and get laid. While these are noble pursuits, claiming politico-philosophical superiority by transference from participating in them is the kind of BS the Man would pull, as is generational arrogance towards younger age groups and crowing that "when we were young, life was hard, oops, I mean, we were more politically active". For far too many of the children of the greatest generation (shall we call them the greatest alternative generation ?) living political reality has degenerated into social fashion equivalent to driving the Range Rover up to the Friends' new country home on Sunday afternoon, and anything resembling committed political awareness and action has degenerated into self-indulgent and self-satisfied consumption of Sunday-morning-with-the-Times purchased (not made) "culture" and commodified echoes of past collective radicalism. No generation has a lock on accurate perception, adequate hipness, or situationally appropriate action; if you're ready to stand together in common cause against the same opposition that is causing the same problems as they always have, let's get to it. If you first demand "recognition" of your greater achievement in the arena of lay political activity, or form an obstacle by virtue of wanting to proclaim how it's done, fuck off; we've been taking care of shit for a while now while little was heard from you as you discovered the joys of straight life, like the stock market and making babies, which you had put on hold. I once had ex-hipsters whine to me during the height of the Reagan boom years that there was "way too much selfishness during the 60s", she with fashionable 'do, he with respectable job, they with appropriately trendy Japanese import (Camry at the time if I recall correctly) and 2.5 children on the way and dog panting under the picnic table at the neighbors'. Spare me. I don't notice anyone within range who's in a position to preach.

The "you" here is not personally directed at the author of the original post BTW, but collectively at such members of the Boomer time who would emit pieties similar to the cited one about putting down iPods. I'm male BTW, (biological) class of '64.

[noonwitch]

19. I'm 41, but I don't think women my age and younger are prepared

I don't think many people in my generation and younger ones remember how it was before Roe v Wade. I had a cousin almost die from an illegal abortion.

[hamsterjill]

22. I'm 47 and I agree that women younger are not prepared

I am greatly concerned that this right of choice that was fought for so hard is now just slipping away relatively quietly. I'm sorry to have to see another generation use the energy and expense to keep this RIGHT legal, but that's what it is coming to.

I sincerely hope that all those younger than me are aware of what's at stake. I know my 22 year old daughter is.

Quite frankly, I just don't understand why those opposed to abortion just simply don't ever have one - - - and let the rest of us lead our lives the way we see fit, and deal with saving our own souls in our own way. To me, it's a private matter. End of story.

But when it comes time in my state to stand up and fight yet again, I will be right there along side my daughter. I still have a little spunk left!!!!

[Catchawave]

23. Some of us have daughters under 40

And will fight to protect their "choice" !

[CTyankee]

24. I am 66 and have 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters at risk

My 94 year old mother died a hardcore supporter of abortion rights. Well, she didn't live to see this horrible reversal of our rights.

It's all too comfortable and usual for younger women. They just don't get it. I guess every generation has to fight their own battles. Unfortunately, some women will die as a result.

Damn it, I blame those Repub. women who said "Bush won't end abortion rights." I feel like throwing up in their faces.

[dmr]

25. 53 here, I think it's the concept of always having something

and not having to ever face or contemplate the horrific alternatives that make people take for granted or apathetic.

I don't know, but sometimes I think many Americans have to lose something before they understand or appreciate what they once had.

I lost a very good friend from a botched (butchered) abortion. I cry inside thinking this could happen again in this country.

[OhioBlue]

26. I'm a woman under 40

(over 30)
Honestly, there is a bit of complacency in thinking that it would always be safe and legal. Also, I really didn't start paying attention to "State and World affairs" until the last few years. I don't have any children, I hope to. I believe very strongly in a woman's right to choose. I've begun to get active.

My thoughts are that when the threat is very real and very near as it is now, we will be ready to take up the fight. A lot of us probably never saw the need before. And to be honest, being a single girl in your 20's sometimes offers a lot of chaos to keep you occupied and distracted.

I really do appreciate all the work that women and men in previous generations have done for women's rights. I hope that we will receive that torch and continue to carry it for future generations.

[Tonya]

27. Abortion will never be completely illegal

If it is over turned, which I don't think will happen, but if it does it will be determined by the individual states.

Can anyone see California, Oregon or New York banning abortion?

It won't happen.

[Skittles]

28. get real will you?

for a poor woman in a red state, a state ban DOES make it "completely illegal" for her

[Megahurtz]

31. Welcome to DU Tonya!

:toast:

[Jacobin]

33. So, wealthy people can leave their states

and go get one?

What about the states planning to make it illegal for their citizens to get an abortion...even if they leave the state to get it?

[Gloria]

29. Same age, same fight, Planet Bev....Marches, donations,

my Becky Bell bracelet....

I am calling NOW to ask them if they have a plan to inform ALL women about how to stock up and use oral contraceptives as a Plan B...and what they plan to do to set up the network NOW for transporting wome to safe states. Forget the courts...raise money for funding safe medical care and transport to women who will need it. We can't act from a defensive position. We are on our own. We have to TAKE CONTROL this minute!!!

I think restricting abortion, esp. in the case of incest and rape is tantamount to ABUSE. Any restriction indicates no respect for women's ability to decide what is right for them and is an INTRUSION on her person!!!

If this goes back to the states--I'm not convinced you'll see a lot of fight there. Why aren't women in SD and MISS protesting? Why haven't they? Like the environment, it's an issues that gets steamrollered by things like TAXES, where to build the new high school, etc. Mark my words, even "blue" states will see erosion as officials are elected who have no courage to stand up for women and the witch hunt continues by the harpy radical right.


PS--Democrats? Forget them.

[DemGirl7]

32. I'm 23, and I'm willing to fight

I think there are many young women around my age, and older who will also fight. On the campus of the college I attend (SUNY New Paltz) there are many groups that are aware of our current political climate, and are very worried about the state of Roe, and are willing to fight to save it. As a Political Science major, I'm very aware of the country politically speaking, and it scares the shit out of me, when I think about the future. Because I realize what is happening to our rights, and I've gotten more & more pissed off over the 5 years over what has happened. I know that SCOTUS and the rest of the Federal Judiciary are well on its way of becoming, if its not already, a heaven for right wing freaks who are just itching to overturn Roe.