Excellent.

Monica:

>> Pregnancy and motherhood are difficult at the best of times. Women carry the weight of huge expectations, and risk harsh collective judgment if they fail to live up to them. They don't need more reasons to feel guilty and judged. <<

Fully agree.

We sure as hell don't B/S like this:

"Family First Senator Steve Fielding has been condemned by other senators for suggesting women might have an abortion after 20 weeks to try to claim paid parental leave."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/16/2928399.htm?section=justin

While Warwick Marsh continues to throw hissy fits, women continue to be penalised for whatever we do and whatever we don't. *

-
-
-
-
-
* No, not by everyone (lest I be accused of generalising), but by many who are far too influential in our community and really should be better informed.

Yes, an excellent article, and so true.

While all pregnant women should be mindful of proven threats to their foetus (eg german measles, smoking or excessive alcohol), they should not be approached by an unrelated Joe-Blow from the street to be told how to live their pregnant life.

Severin, I too was angry at Senator Fielding suggesting pregnant women would try to get the baby bonus or maternity payment by having late term abortions.

Using the wonderful news about paid maternity leave for Australian parents as a platform to push his anti-abortion barrow, is lower than an ants knee.

Apart from that, it is actually extremely difficult to procure an abortion after 20 weeks unless there is a proven abnormality with the baby or a severe health problem for the mother

"A pregnant friend of mine was recently reprimanded by a male colleague when she ordered a salad in a restaurant" Exactly how was it worded and said? Was this the sort of reprimand that only women are allowed to get offended over? As Severin said,"women continue to be penalised for whatever we do and whatever we don't." Everyone gets unsolicited advice. We do women no favours by socialising them to get angry over what is an unavoidable part of every person's existence.

Oh boo hoo . Feminist love to give advise so it won't hurt them to at least listen to a bit occasionally.

"A pregnant friend of mine was recently reprimanded by a male colleague when she ordered a salad in a restaurant, on the grounds of the listeria risk."

That is the sole reason for this storm in a teacup?

Since when did pregnant women become so befuddled and vulnerable that they can't reject unsolicited advice even where well intentioned?

In any event it would be the very rare man, a fool in fact, who would presume to give a pregnant woman advice. Just where has he been living for the past thirty years?

The hysteria about 'guilt' is lost on me. If guilt comes from anywhere is from within and without a doubt the main advice and opinion givers are other women. Then there is the competition between women that comes into play wherever maternity, babies and children are concerned. Men wisely hide from those exchanges of volleys.