My daughter recently volunteered to babysit an adorable five-month-old baby boy to help out a struggling family. Having been the mother of baby girls, my daughter was unprepared for how quickly she could get sprayed while trying to change his diaper. I told her about these little “tents” I saw in a Hallmark store. They are designed to fit over a certain part of a little boy’s anatomy to give the mother, or whoever changes the baby, time to take the old diaper off and put on a new one without getting a mouth full of pee. We both laughed about the clever little device.
That got me thinking about other little devices we women could think up for the big boys that might curb the number of unwanted pregnancies so we wouldn’t have this whole reproductive rights issue on our shoulders. We should share the burden because, last time I checked, women can’t get pregnant all by themselves. It takes two to tango, as they say. Yet only women are singled out as the “culprits” in unwanted pregnancies as if we are sultry seductresses preying on poor helpless men.
I have no idea what measures we could propose to hamper a man’s sex life, but whatever they are, they should be invasive and humiliating. After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right? And the measures should be voted into law so men can’t wiggle (no pun intended) out of them. I’m open to suggestions. Mandatory vasectomies in certain situations shouldn’t be ruled out.
The problem is that these measures would be impossible to vote into law because men make up the vast majority of lawmakers. Women such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought hard for a woman’s right to vote. According to the 2010 census, there are more women of voting age in this country than men of the same age. Why are women so underrepresented? Why have women so passively given up their voice?
I started following an excellent blog recently called Broadside. The author, Caitlin Kelly, said, “The last time I looked, American women do have the vote. But you’d never know it.” Men dictating what women can and cannot do with their bodies is nothing less than tyranny of the minority. It is long past the time when we women need to step up and vote into office some of the many competent women out there. If we won’t speak for ourselves, we let men do it, and we see where that is going. I have a huge knot in my stomach thinking that some of my rights could be abridged while a man gets to skate on by with no responsibility, for unless I missed it, only women’s rights seem to be the subject of political discussion these days.
But back to my original discussion, starting with those little tents. Ladies, are your brains working? Are you getting any ideas? No, no, don’t send them to me. Send them to the presidential candidates so they can see what they might be in store for when we women finally step up to the plate. They should be afraid. Very afraid.
Coming East 
Excellent post. Unforunately we have gotten complacent about our rights as women. If nothing else, we need to continue working for our daughters benefits.
That’s what my daughter says, I See. She wants to make sure my sweet granddaughters are empowered to stand up for themselves and not settle with what’s left over after the men have had their say.
Hi Susan, Been kicking this one around for a couple of days before replying, but I do need to pass on the tip at the bottom before its too late, so here goes… As someone from “north of the border” I’ve been hearing a lot in the media (while doing my best not to listen) about which of the two chosen will become the Anointed one. It is SO nice to have stumbled into your discussions; giving me a sense of balance (finally; ) from the other side.
Oh, and about your daughter’s diapering dilemma? Little boys will let loose as soon as the ambient air strikes. So, here’s what I used to do: after undoing the fasteners, you do a little fakeout semi-lift of the diaper – just enough to cool things off – but not far enough to allow the imminent shower to go anywhere other than into the diaper that I was still holding firmly in place. (It worked like a charm – every time: ) Cheers, Deb
Thanks, Deb. I’m glad you follow what’s happening here. I know it doesn’t seem like it because of all the media attention going to the top two Republican candidates, but not everyone embraces their sexist rhetoric. Loved your diapering trick. I raised two boys, but it’s been a long time! I still think the little tents are cute!
No one is given rights, they earn rights. Until women stop being puppets of the vanity industries, they will remain relatively powerless.
I agree that women need to stop listening to the media, but I disagree that we have to earn rights. Our Constitution guarantees basic human rights, and women shouldnhaventhe same as men.
I was referring to the fact that the ERA amendment to the constitution was never ratified. It was supposed to guarantee equal rights regardless of sex, correct? It seems to me that American women will not be given those rights without a fight to earn them, do you?
Ah, I see what you mean, Margie. Good point. Maybe this is the year we need to revisit that. You’ve given me something to research. Thanks!
I think that women haven’t been able to ‘rule’ because too many of us have been brainwashed into thinking that men will have our bests interests at heart. Sort of like how the far right has scared good people into believing that they are better off with the insurance companies deciding their health care.
Yes, my husband and I were just talking about this tonight, NQO. Women have been sold a bill of goods for so long, they can’t imagine thinking any other way.
wait… wow. I think I just made a connection here that I hadn’t realised before. You guys are mother/daughter? hah! I read both your blogs! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for when your granddaughters start blogging, keep up the trend!
It’s ridiculous that a man should be able to control what a woman can do with her own pregnancy. Are they willing to track down the father of this unwanted child and force him to cough up alimony – or perhaps, marry her before she *gasp* has a child out of wedlock! It could be the law. Though what happens if he’s already married to someone else, I don’t know. There we go, let’s get all biblical again. Nothing quite like a puritan society to get this partay started.
Loved the way you out it, Lexy. Made me laugh. And, yes, My Pajama Days is definitely my sweet daughter and the Hare and the Tortoise are my granddaughters.
True, so true — “We only have ourselves to blame.” It’s so sad to see we still have a long way to go… I felt the knot in my stomach too.
Thank you for introducing the Broadside! Thanks to your daughter for the missrepresentation.org link.
And thanks for reminding me, Amy, that I need to take a look at that website my daughter sent me.
You’re a trailblazer on this issue, Susan. If it takes off like other women’s issues in the past, it should really have an upside.
On the downside, if it does, I’m personally going to find it difficult walking around with my legs crossed all the time.
We’ll try to come to some compromise, Al. I can be reasonable once in awhile. More than I can say for one of the candidates.
Love this! It is amazing to me how few women are in leadership positions, but then I look at my own little girls and I can see already how much the media effects their sense of worth. It’s my job as a parent to help that look past that and see themselves as leaders, nurture a desire to speak out and foster an environment of empowerment. This isn’t about who pays for dinner or holds open a door (that’s being polite and generous in my opinion btw) but about being represented as an equal individual and having an equal voice. Check out this great website for more information about how to help empower our young women: http://www.missrepresentation.org/
Thanks for the link, Daughter, and the very thoughtful comment. We women have a long way to go before we achieve the equal status we deserve. We only have ourselves to blame at this stage, because we do get to vote. Glad my granddaughters have such a great role model!