The following is a recent conversation between fellow contributor Marc Loi and I via Facebook. I am posting this to generate conversation about this subject because maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way? Please let us know what you think! :
Marc L is going to bring lots of Plan B to Iraq, in case an female soldiers need it, but do not have access to it! 6:03pm
Amy Twisdale at 7:26pm March 15 :um..
Marc L at 9:28pm March 15: Um?
Amy Twisdale at 9:57pm March 15: who says the female soldiers are going to be having sex in IRAQ .. and personally i think that's really their own business unless you plan on knocking up female soldiers while they're there. think before you post something marc
Marc L at 9:59pm March 15: Well, it does happen in Iraq - and around military bases in global south nations where abortions are not available. Sex is a matter of life - and suppose a soldier gets pregnant, isn't it better that she has access to plan B, since, well, the military does not provide abortions?
Amy Twisdale at 10:16pm March 15: you mentioned two things. 1. military bases in the global south- are you talking about prostitution.. in that case you should bring condoms 2. i don't think a female soldier needs you to rescue them from pregnancy. a.pregnancy is not a bad thing always b. don't you think many u.s. women are on birth control c. i don't think it's any of YOUR business to provide plan b for anyone. let them deal with it personally. i appreciate and respect your feminism, you know that marc. but sometimes i feel you go a little too far and overstep your boundaries as a man. yes i said it.
Marc L at 10:22pm March 15: Well, considering the number of military women being sent home based on the fact they are pregnant, there IS a need for Plan B. And as you say, it's not my business, but it's there as, well, Plan B should they ever need it. I merely see a need, and thus, doing something about it. It's good that you told it as is, though - because, well, it allows me to see things from your perspective. Although I have to ask: how is this any different than, say, a male politician requiring that the military provide Plan B at their medical facilities? Would HE be out of line?
Amy Twisdale at 10:38pm March 15: unfortunately the government controls such things so in this case that is how policy is created. but you're not a politician (yet) and even if you are going to bring plan b (which by the way is $40 a pill.. how many are you bringing?! you must be rich!) i feel it was inappropriate to put that in your status update because plan b... and abortions for that matter are completely personal and emotional and shouldn't be talked about like you're gonna be passing out candy. it also makes it look like female soldiers are promiscuous or something.. also, how are they going to know you have it? what makes you think anyone's going to tell you 'hey marc, do you have any plan b, i think i'm pregnant'
Marc L at 10:45pm March 15: Well, then our conversation ought to focus on how society slut slams women, right? It seems that the perception if promiscuity is a bad thing. This, I see, is both a policy issue and an issue of how we view women. Anyway, I am calling around to see which pharmacy will allow ME to buy it without a prescription. My plan was just to keep it with just Soldiers I know, both males and females. For me, this is not about rescuing anyone, but changing a culture and mindset within the military. I am not a rich man, Amy, but I do live with Spartanlike, and thus, whatever the Army pays, I can use for things like these. Thanks for pointing out what seemed like "rescuer" and "damsel in distress" situation, though - and thanks for not being mad at me. :)
Amy Twisdale at 10:47pm March 15: lol just constructive criticism i still love you marc
4 comments:
Plan B is NOT abortion. It is a double dose of birth control pills, which keeps the mucus plug around the cervix thick and prevents ovulation and helps thicken the zona pellucidum. It does not abort fetuses and will not work if you are pregnant. MEDICAL FACT. For more info, see http://www.go2planb.com/plan-b.aspx
Many American women are not on the pill, because constant hormonal regulation is dangerous if you smoke, have clotting disorders, etc. I am not on the pill (everything except the low dose gave me morning sickness, etc.). A person I know isn't on the pill because it makes them have seizures. Many women need other solutions.
P.S. I'm only posting this to be informative. It's important to know. I am NOT being argumentative or trying to make others feel demeaned.
I don't think it's out of line for Marc to offer Plan B to his fellow soldiers. Offering it is different from telling them that they're wrong to be promiscuous, or wrong to be pregnant.
Here is my take on this Amy--
I think if Marc was actually able to take Plan B with him to Iraq and have authority to dispense it there, that this wouldn't be all together an inherent insult to woman's sexuality in the military or in general. From my understanding, women in the military face a lot of discriminatory measures when dealing with the sexuality/reproductive areas of their lives. The way I understand it, the military is not especially supportive to supporting a)abortions, b) any emergency measure that acts as a preventative for pregnancy to occur [plan B] or c)a wide and AVAILABLE variety of options for birth control.
Additionally, while I agree with you that any kind of choice dealing with women's sexuality and reproduction is personal and emotional, I disagree that it should be limited in public discourse. I think the pejorative nature of abortion and the emotional process behind it should be more open and communicated to break down barriers, bust misconceptions and help women [and men] connect and have an idea of what to expect/experience based in part off of others' dissection of the experience that is largely unknown not only on a physical but also an emotional level to most people. This could be profound in helping people make a better, more informed and well rounded decision.
Here is my take on this Amy--
I think if Marc was actually able to take Plan B with him to Iraq and have authority to dispense it there, that this wouldn't be all together an inherent insult to woman's sexuality in the military or in general. From my understanding, women in the military face a lot of discriminatory measures when dealing with the sexuality/reproductive areas of their lives. The way I understand it, the military is not especially supportive to supporting a)abortions, b) any emergency measure that acts as a preventative for pregnancy to occur [plan B] or c)a wide and AVAILABLE variety of options for birth control.
Additionally, while I agree with you that any kind of choice dealing with women's sexuality and reproduction is personal and emotional, I disagree that it should be limited in public discourse. I think the pejorative nature of abortion and the emotional process behind it should be more open and communicated to break down barriers, bust misconceptions and help women [and men] connect and have an idea of what to expect/experience based in part off of others' dissection of the experience that is largely unknown not only on a physical but also an emotional level to most people. This could be profound in helping people make a better, more informed and well rounded decision.
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