The Role of Feminism in the Birthmothers’ Rights
Feminism is a revolution that has been an issue in today’s society since the nineteenth century. In the 1960’s a new wave of feminism occurred in the 1960’s which wanted social and legal equality for all women. However who gets to decide which issues these “new” feminist should support and which issues should not be a part of this new movement? This is where the issues developed between these mainstream feminist, often apart of the National Organization for Women, and birthmothers’ organizations during the time. One of the central platforms in which the NOW feminist and birthmother’s disagreed on was “reproductive rights.” Many of the new feminist could not connect with these “reproductive rights” that included the right to contraception and the right to be a mother. According to Solinger, “NOW members couldn’t see exploitation in adoption” and “insisted adoption was a personal choice in the case of both the birthmother and the adopting parents” (117). Also NOW believed adoption was not a feminist issue because women benefited most from getting adopted babies, meaning the adoptive mothers were benefiting at the birthmother’s loss. The question of if adoption in feminism in the 1960’s was a challenging issue because most of the mainstream feminist had opposing views to the birthmothers which did not resolve for some time.
One might ask the question today if this is the same relationship with mainstream feminist and birthmothers in today’s society. In my opinion, I believe there is more solidarity between the two organizations today and the mainstream feminist are more welcoming and responsive to the concerns to the birthmothers. A main reason for the support has to do with reproductive rights play a bigger and more important role in today’s feminist movement. Many organizations are more willing to help unwed mothers and offer neutral advice on what is the best option for the child, but the birthmother as well. Today I believe the feminist organizations would use their resources to make sure the birthmother’s receive the care they need during this time.
Until next time!
Until next time!
Sarah
Bibliography
Rickie Solinger, "Claiming Rights in the Era of Choice" Part I: Awakenings in Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the United States. U.S.: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001: pp. 65-138.
To address the question you asked at the start of your final paragraph, I do believe that they've probably turned their views of birthmothers around completely. I didn't know anything about this issue before I read the other day. It was kind of an eye-opener that an organization that's fighting for women's rights would have any reason to shoo away another organization. The feminist movement that I'm familiar with today is one that is welcoming to not only birthmothers but many other activist groups like that. I hope that they've also expanded their definition of 'reproductive rights' so as to include some of the issues that matter to birth mothers. I agree with your end statement that most feminist organizations today would not only take an interest in all aspects of adoption but also help to work towards even better conditions for everyone involved.
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