Presentation Type
Paper
Abstract
There is a great misunderstanding in our society that women who encounter unwanted pregnancies knew exactly what the consequences were when they decided to have sex. Unfortunately, for a great deal of these accidental mothers, there is a huge stigma put on pregnant women who are non-married and/or in their teens and early twenties. In America there is an increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy rates because of lack of sex education. Ironically, these figures are lower” in six other Western countries [which] range from only 13 to 53 percent of the U.S. rate.” (Westoff 254) What is more, “in women who are aged 18–19 and 20–24… more than one unintended pregnancy occurred for every 10 women.” (Finer, and Henshaw 92) In a group where this issue is so prevalent, it is astounding that there have not been more studies behind the cause of this stigmatization. To eradicate this problem we first must create outreach programs that teach women and men about the problem of women’s agency. Sadly, our school systems are highly regulated by the government, which, let’s face it, is not getting any better about dealing with this problem. To remedy this situation, a network of concerned feminists (as well as closet feminists) will have to be created. The creation of the Third Wave Feminist Network will aid in the abolition of these problems. This network of concerned feminists will create programs, workshops, and much more teaching men and women about their sexualities.
Categories
Social Sciences
Research Type
Course Related
Mentor Information
Leisa Clark
Included in
Men get laid, but women get screwed. A Radical Feminist look at America’s harmful views on women’s sexuality.
There is a great misunderstanding in our society that women who encounter unwanted pregnancies knew exactly what the consequences were when they decided to have sex. Unfortunately, for a great deal of these accidental mothers, there is a huge stigma put on pregnant women who are non-married and/or in their teens and early twenties. In America there is an increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy rates because of lack of sex education. Ironically, these figures are lower” in six other Western countries [which] range from only 13 to 53 percent of the U.S. rate.” (Westoff 254) What is more, “in women who are aged 18–19 and 20–24… more than one unintended pregnancy occurred for every 10 women.” (Finer, and Henshaw 92) In a group where this issue is so prevalent, it is astounding that there have not been more studies behind the cause of this stigmatization. To eradicate this problem we first must create outreach programs that teach women and men about the problem of women’s agency. Sadly, our school systems are highly regulated by the government, which, let’s face it, is not getting any better about dealing with this problem. To remedy this situation, a network of concerned feminists (as well as closet feminists) will have to be created. The creation of the Third Wave Feminist Network will aid in the abolition of these problems. This network of concerned feminists will create programs, workshops, and much more teaching men and women about their sexualities.
