Feminists for Choice

International Roundup: Mother’s Day Around the World

Manis — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:59:08 +0000

Mother’s Day honors mothers and their influence in society; it also celebrates the maternal bond. While the United States celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, it is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April, or May. And depending on the country, Mother’s Day can [...]

“Feminism is about Activism” – Gudrun Schyman Comments on Feminist Politics

Elin — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:42 +0000

Feminist Initiative (Fi or F!) is a Swedish political party and organization formed in 2005. F! bases its politics on feminism, equality and anti-discrimination. When it comes to the party’s view on women’s rights and sexuality they support pro-choice. Their manifest states, among other things, that: “Sexual liberation means being free to explore one’s sexuality [...]

In Memoriam: Dr. Jean Pakter

Sarah — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:41:08 +0000

Earlier this week, women’s health advocate Jean Pakter passed away in New York at age 101. The Manhattan born-and-bred physician began working for the city in the 1950s, and was the head of the bureau of maternity services and family planning for the city’s health department from 1960 to 1982. Jean Pakter’s research and advocacy [...]

Why do men rape? Evolutionary theory has the answer: part two

Elin and Hennie Weiss — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:53 +0000

*Trigger warning: the content of this piece discusses rape and sexual assault, and may be disturbing to some readers. In our first piece: Why do men rape? Evolutionary theory has the answer: part one, we discussed rape and victim blaming in regards to evolutionary psychology. We expressed our dislike with the notion that rape is [...]

Why do men rape? Evolutionary theory has the answer: part one

Elin and Hennie Weiss — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:00:38 +0000

*Trigger warning: the content of this piece discusses rape and sexual assault, and may be disturbing to some readers. “She was asking for it,” “she was wearing revealing clothes,” “she has a reputation of ‘sleeping around’” and “she had been drinking”. When discussing rape, statements such as these are referred to as victim blaming. Victim [...]

The sexualization of breastfeeding-enough already!

Elin and Hennie Weiss — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:55 +0000

The recent cover photo of TIME Magazine depicting a mother breastfeeding her almost four-year-old son has caused quite the stir all over America (and has been covered in the news in other countries as well). As part of the parenting style “attachment parenting”, a number of women depicted in the magazine have chosen to breastfeed [...]

Head of NARAL Pro-Choice America Stepping Down

Sarah — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:55:40 +0000

Yesterday Nancy Keenan, the head of NARAL Pro-Choice America, announced that she is leaving her position at the end of this year. Keenan, who has been the president of NARAL since 2004, cited a concern for the future of the pro-choice movement as a factor in her decision: “If the pro-choice movement is to successfully [...]

Quick Hit: Funny or Die Invites Republicans Into Women’s Vaginas

Sarah — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:29 +0000

Need some humor in your week? Check out Funny or Die’s new “Republicans, Get in My Vagina!” video, starring Kate Beckinsale, Andrea Savage, and Judy Greer. A plea from the “real Republican real women of real America” to all women to “open up their legs and let the government in,” this parody cheerfully skewers the [...]

My Body, Myself: Or, what’s a gal gotta to do make peace with that chick in the mirror?

Jodi — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:13:17 +0000

Inspired by Maureen Shaw’s post about the pregnant body … I know I’m probably asking the wrong crowd, but how do men do it? How the hell do they stand in front of a mirror, grab their beer belly and grumble–and then toss on a shirt and go on their merry way? How can they stand the heat in those long [...]

Do Not Let the Bastards Grind You Down

Roxanna — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:06:50 +0000

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum “Do Not Let the Bastards Grind You Down” -Chapter 9, The Handmaid’s Tale Motion 312, or M-312 is a private member’s bill proposed by Conservative backbencher Stephen Woodworth asking for the appointment of a twelve member special committee to review Subsection 223(1) of the Criminal Code for the purpose of examining [...]