Rape Culture

"If a woman has (the right to an abortion), why shouldn’t a man be free to use his superior strength to force himself on a woman? At least the rapist’s pursuit of sexual freedom doesn’t (in most cases) result in anyone’s death.” - Lawrence Lockman, GOP Representative, Maine

I am sure you have seen this.  I am flabbergasted.  I don't see the connection,  really.  I want to argue, but no words come.  Every time I start to respond, to put ideas together, they fall apart. 

I know several women who have had abortions.  None were easy decisions.  Everyone agonized.  Their decisions were made because of financial reasons, because of custody reasons, in one case because parents forced it.  None were easy, none had anything to do with sexual freedom, and every woman misses her baby around the time it would have been born.  Every woman also suffers physically. 

Having to endure an abortion is a kind of rape.  Our bodies, our lives, our financial security are all at the mercy of someone else.  Women make a fraction of what men make.  After divorce, a woman's standard of living falls, a man's improves.  Rape. Rape. Rape.

It's all a culture of disempowerment.

Another horrified thought wonders how a man who considers himself superior and would tolerate the thought - who would even entertain it, then speak it out loud - sexually assaulting women should not be a political leader.

He is telling us that in no uncertain terms should we have any control of our own bodies. If we have the freedom to decide not to bear a child, then we are available for rape...we lose the right to decide who we would like to be sexual with.

Rape culture.

I am so nauseated...

Clare