Advance Warning: May contain ramblings (and coarse language)
Question:
When did women (and the amazing things we, and our bodies, can do) incur such wrath from some men-folk?
I understand that this is obviously something which doesn’t happen all the time and there are plenty of women who also have very negative attitudes towards other women. And there are some men who openly support and celebrate women and the stupendously cool things we can do but;
Today I was casually discussing names of future imaginary children with a female colleague when a much older male colleague chimed in with “Ugh, you’re not popping out another one are you?”
Umm...
I see three problems with this flippant remark. Firstly the “Ugh”: well that just sets the tone, doesn’t it? When did talking about, or being (or becoming) a mother turn into something which is met with such blatant disgust? I don’t expect anyone to be excited when I choose to have children (in fact, I’m often surprised when people are) but if it isn’t for you then how about butting out?
Secondly, the phrase “popping out” really trivialises the entire process. I have had two children and believe me, neither “popped” out. Even if the birth is relatively easy or aided as per a mother’s requests, there is the whole 40 weeks previous to the birth which are not exactly a walk in the proverbial park. Even if your birth and pregnancy are pretty carefree, there’s the breast feeding, the late nights, the stretch marks, morning sickness, the piles, the swollen feet, the bazillion blood tests and scans and trips to the midwife... honestly, the list is endless.
Lastly (although I doubt this will be the last of my internal ranting over this matter) since when was it ok to infer that I had too many children already? “...popping another one out” ? Are you fucking kidding me? What the hell is wrong with the two I have? What’s it to you if I have 1 or 45 rugrats to blissfully “pop” out into this world.
You know what is so amazing with the attitude which so many have towards women, their pregnancies, birthing and vaginas in general; if it wasn’t for all of the above you wouldn’t even be here right now. Have some care.
The answer to his awfully worded and delivered question is “No, I am not yet pregnant with my third child and I do believe we’ll be waiting another year or so before we try for another baby”
Thanks for asking though.
