Angela Davis "Reproductive Policy" Flashcards
How do reproductive technologies marginalize groups?
The socioeconomic conditions within which reproductive technologies are being developed, applied and rendered accessible/inaccessible
Who is being pushed to become fertile?
upper/middle class women, and they are the ones who have access to the technology
Who is pushed away from becoming mothers?
minority groups for example: slave mothers, who were denied the rights to their own children
Slaveocracy
A phenomena that occurred when the cotton industry grew causing slave mothers to bear as many children as possible → such that they could become slaves
This bears no resemblance to motherhood but to slaves as property
Since mothers lost all legal rights to children while slave owners gained them for their personal use
Slave mothers became a sort of surrogate mother
Deconstruction of motherhood
New reproductive technologies have separated motherhood from birthing is very different
In addition, slave motherhood also achieved this
Slave mothers were often surrogates of their own children (since they will be sold) and of the white children as well
What are the 2 choices women are often given
Have children OR Pursue education
Motherhood is pushed upon them by traditional viewpoints where motherhood is an essential part of life
However, may be considered immoral if do not marry fathers
How about mothers in prison?
Mothers in prison are often seen as deviant because they have failed to find themselves in motherhood
Very little alternatives to traditional prisons for women/mothers
In addition, minority males lack opportunities to parent from prison
