I hate when people say “A woman’s body was designed to give birth.”
No, giving birth is just something a woman’s body can do.
If we follow that logic, then because a man’s body can reach sexual climax via anal penetration, all men were designed to be sodomized.
Needless to say, like gay sex, childbirth is just not some people’s cup of tea.
14-Year-Old Rape Victim: "I Can’t Walk Outside Without Someone Calling Me a Whore or Slut”
(Think Progress) - Several high-profile cases of sexual assault have shown the consequences of rape culture: From Rehtaeh Parsons’ suicide to the Steubenville rape trial, these girls were re-victimized by the harassment and public shaming that followed the sexual assault.
Now, a 14-year-old in Elwood, Indiana who is eight months pregnant faces ongoing harassment simply because her neighborhood sees her as a very young pregnant girl. But a reporter at the Indianapolis Star writes that her town does not know the full story of the 17-year-old boy who physically overpowered her after she told him “no.” On Tuesday, he faces sentencing for three counts of child molestation.
At the same time the girl has encountered vicious public shaming from her community, she and her mother Kristy Green have spoken out because they worry her assailant will walk free in juvenile court:
“I can’t walk out the door without someone calling me a whore or slut,” the girl said. “I used to have a lot of friends, or people I thought were my friends, but as soon as this happened I just isolated myself.”
The repeated vandalism incidents at the family’s home — including the words “whore” and “slut” scrawled on the garage doors — were reported to police. But Green said no charges were filed because there were no witnesses to the acts.Her daughter also has been the target of mean-spirited rumors and speculation that her pregnancy is the result of promiscuous behavior.
This ordeal is all too common for victims of sexual assault — a reality that affects not just U.S. teens in school, but also pervades military and sports culture. The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board recently noted that “it’s still news when a rape victim stands in front of the cameras to state what ought to be obvious, which is that she has nothing to be ashamed of.”
But the people in Elwood — lacking the details of the rape due to privacy in the juvenile court system — reverted to alienating the teen for her pregnancy because they assumed she must have been “promiscuous.” That’s true for many teen moms across the country, who are often on the receiving end of this stigma precisely at the time they most need support. Public awareness campaigns attempting to prevent teen pregnancy often put inordinate focus on “slut-shaming” abstinence over comprehensive sexual health resources.
This makes me so sick, it’s disgusting that this kind of behavior is generally tolerated and even defended in our culture.
The same culture that is against comprehensive sex education, access to birth control and abortion is going to shame this girl for being pregnant.
Even had this girl’s pregnancy not been the result of rape, she doesn’t deserve this treatment from the community.
The people doing this to her are gross, horrible people who get off on lording their piety over other people.
They are bullies who are getting off on this girl’s misery. - and they think it’s okay to act like this because of how tolerated it is in our culture, in our media, and in our justice system.
This is gross.
Proud!
I am beyond proud of myself after today’s appointment. My Dr. told me that my diet is perfect. I am getting enough of all nutrients that NOT ONLY I need, but that the baby needs.
I’ve been told that having a vegan diet and being pregnant just won’t mix.
I can guarantee that I eat better, and more consciously than a lot of people who have told me “You get your protein from meat”.
Fortunately, you can obtain protein from many, many other sources (And surprise! You won’t have to worry about running a larger risk of getting heart disease in the future!).
I’ll be sure to stick to my guns, and live a conscious, selfless life while keeping a healthy, well balanced diet.
Suck it naysayers!
ACTUAL PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FIRST TIME PARENTS TO BE:
- Go to a movie at the theatre. Do it. Love it. Do it spontaneously. This is literally the one thing I hear consistently that people miss.
- Don’t waste your money on everything that baby list says you need. Get the bare minimum and ask for gift cards. Those are going to save your butt when the baby gets here. Not that 400.00 crib set you probably wont use for 9 months.
- Look up car seat safety. Seriously. Research that chizzz. That’s one thing you do have authority over. You know what you find out you don’t really have any control over? Your birth plan. Be flexible with that. Don’t be flexible or guess at seat safety and proper use.
- Get a carrier. Get a sling. Just do it. Baby was literally inside of your being (ideally) for 9 months… it misses you. This new place is going to be loud and bright, but your heartbeat. That’s something baby knows.
- Banish the visitors. Seriously. Tell them to back off for a month. You’ll thank me. If you have to have someone there.. .choose one really good person who will help you clean and cook and get laundry done. Whether you end up having your baby vaginally or through a c-section you’re going to need recovery time and time to sleep. Seriously giving birth is tiring.
- Do something spontaneous. There will be no real spontaneity once that awesome kid is here, so you do that now.
- Realize that a lot of people are about to see you naked. Just get over that fear right now. No one cares.
- Start standing up for yourself. You make choices and you don’t let anyone make you feel bad about them. There’s going to be plenty of people who try. Learn the phrase “Kindly F*CK off” =) Okay that’s a little harsh but seriously.
- Know that it’s okay to complain about your pregnancy. It is not all flowers and butterflies.
- Ask stupid questions. No one cares and it’s better to know than guess later.
