FACE OUR FEARS: OH BABY
ABC headline reads: “Trump administration looking at $5,000 'baby bonus' to incentivize public to have more children.”
Can you imagine anything more offensive? Well, actually in the Trump regime, we probably can. But this is pretty bad.
And here’s why:
Five thousand dollars doesn’t even cover the cost of GIVING birth in this nation. Not even close with costs for the insured and uninsured costing up to $50,000.
This is a country without paid parental leave. A country without affordable and accessible quality childcare. A country without universal healthcare. The United States continues to have the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, despite a decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.
And within the U.S., the rate is by far the highest for Black women. Most of these deaths — over 80 percent — are likely preventable.
We lack workplace accommodations for parents like on-site childcare, fertility benefits to help offset the costs of IVF and pumping accommodations.
There are several draft executive orders out there right now, with one bestowing “National Medal of Motherhood” to mothers with six or more children. And according to Common Dreams:
“This is a scheme with history in numerous fascist regimes, including those of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.”
And did you know that the attack on DEI actually impacts whether people want to have children or not? Think about it. Without passing or strengthening legislation to address gender, sexuality and pregnancy discrimination in our workplaces…why would we think this fosters interest or ability in starting or growing a family?
REALITY CHECK: This movement is being specifically tailored to what this regime “thinks” a family should look like.
A marriage that includes a man and a woman in traditional gender roles, leaving out many families that don’t fit that mold — or want to. This is exclusionary and regressive.
And don’t even get me started on our lack of family planning options or access to essential healthcare like abortion whenever it is wanted or needed. These are also pro-family policies.
We also need to address the motherhood penalty that people face which means working for lower wages, less opportunities to advance or be hired and perceptions of lower competence and commitment.
79% of millennial women are either delaying marriage and kids or just opting out. In fact, the cost of unpaid labor and the mental toll it takes just doesn’t seem worth it in this hostile environment.
We are tired. We are tired of privileged men – many of them white and old – in positions of authority in our government telling us what we should do with our lives and forcing their archaic beliefs upon us. We do not consent.
The climate crisis weighs heavily on many people, as does the loss of human rights, irresponsible gun legislation and economic opportunities in a land cosplaying freedom but giving anything but that.
You want babies to be born? You want them to be loved and cared for? Then create a society that cares about women. That cares about queer people. That cares about immigrants and refugees and people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Uplift and protect the most vulnerable through policy change. That’s how you create a family-first society…for all families.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
In solidarity,
Natalie
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