The Constant Battle: Women's Rights

For years, there has been much debate over a woman’s rights in American society. Many thought it impractical for a woman to aspire to anything outside of the domestic realm. This argument was then proven invalid many times throughout American History. During the World Wars, women were called upon to take over the jobs that were exclusive to men, jobs like factory production as well as other strenuous work. After that, the argument was of women having the right to vote then the question of women in the military. But after years of proving that women are equal to their male counterparts, this oppression still continues in the present day.

In the recent presidential election, there has been a lot of debate on the issue of abortion. Each candidate stands firmly behind their stance; Barack Obama (Dem), pro-choice, and Mitt Romney (Rep), pro-life. Both candidates are completely entitled to their personal opinions; the problem arises when one’s opinion becomes law. Once the personal beliefs of a candidate plays a factor in his or her election campaign, they no longer subscribe to the Constitution and go against the principals in which this country prides itself on.

The Republican Party has been very vocal on its anti-abortion beliefs. In a recent interview, John Akin, running for Senator of Missouri, was quoted saying, “If it’s legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.”  Thus saying “legitimate rape” does not lead to pregnancy. In order to even entertain such a ludicrous statement, one would have to know what qualified as “legitimate rape,” presupposing that rape is categorical, which it is not. This statement lacks any validity.

Akin will never know what it feels like to bear the child of someone who violated him and who took all sense of his self worth. He will never know what it is like to have to live with the overwhelming knowledge that he would forever be attached to his brutal attacker for the rest of his life.

On top of these feelings, in having an unplanned pregnancy, the victim unwillingly becomes a single mother. Children are expensive. The mother may need to turn to government assistance, which the Republican Party thinks is a program that encourages laziness. So with that resource cut, how is the mother supposed to provide the child with a proper life? It seems as though many of the Republican Party’s statements made on this issue lack prior thought.

What the Republican Party and other powerful men throughout American history have done and are continuing to do is keep women in the subordinate role. The fact that they make these decisions based on assumptions of the female body and its ability, regardless of factual proof, is ridiculous. It is obvious that these men are not fit to make such decisions.

That is why it is important to vote. Our system is flawed in that we have a small group of people making decisions for the masses. But at least we get to choose who those people are. So if you have not already, register to vote. If you are away from your voting area, like most college students, look into getting an absentee ballot.

There are so many easy ways to make your voice heard. Don’t miss your opportunity to make a difference.

*Featured image by Itinerant Wanderer