I think it is safe to assume unless someone is living under a rock the majority of Americans are aware about the war being waged against women’s healthcare, access to birth control, and their reproductive rights. What many American’s do not realize is that this war on women runs much deeper. There is a war being waged by the “Christian” right that will strip away most rights women for generations have fought so hard for. Not only is the “Christian” right trying to strip away women’s rights but also a woman’s self worth as a person; making women less equal to men with the end result a belief women need to be managed and controlled.
I would like to talk about a bill that was introduced in the state senate of Wisconsin to illustrate my point. The bill is 2011 Senate Bill 507 and here is the link to review: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/... . This bill if it were to be passed would make being a single parent be a contributing factor to child abuse.
There are two parts of this measure that sticks out:
“In promoting those campaigns and materials, the board shall emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.”
“nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect and the role of fathers in primary prevention of child abuse and neglect.”
Notice the following: “promoting those campaigns and materials” and “role of fathers in primary prevention.” these two phrases speak volumes of what this bill and the “Christian” right is trying to do.
First part of the goal is to re-educate parents and the larger community that a father must be in the home to prevent child abuse. If a mother is left to be the sole caregiver the child is in danger of abuse. Therefore women as a gender can not be trusted to parent by themselves. The second part of the goal is to strip away women’s rights as not only a parent but also as a person capable of critical thinking skills. So a woman needs a man to be looking over her.
Clearly the GOP is trying to achieve their ultimate goals in stripping away the rights of women with re-education or indoctrination with state funds. This very well could be a test case to the right if successful to use as a template for future bills that attack women and their basic civil liberties. If this bill were to have pass or something similar to this bill how many young individuals would be indoctrinated into this type of ideology? How many young women would think they are incapable of critical thinking so they can not survive without a man? How many young men will view women as less then human or below them? What about the young mother that stays in an abusive relationship and for the child with the ultimate result ending in another generation of domestic violence.
Instead of educational programs on how to better single parent they now what educational programs that a father must be in the home because mothers can not be trusted.
There is a wonderful picture I came across the other night: http://www.facebook.com/... . If the GOP gets their way how much longer will this picture hold true. In some states this image already does not hold true. Not only is this sad for women but it is sad for our once great nation.