Changing The Reproductive Rights Conversation | Jessica Waters | TEDxBaltimore

Summary

The speaker shares her personal journey and professional experience in reproductive rights, highlighting the complexities of women's decisions regarding pregnancy. She narrates two contrasting stories of her own life, emphasizing the diverse choices women make under different circumstances. Advocating for a nuanced conversation beyond the pro-choice versus pro-life dichotomy, she calls for an acknowledgment of both women's autonomy and the sanctity of life, urging society to respect the multifaceted realities of women's lives.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🎓 The story revolves around a woman who faced different reproductive choices at different stages of her life, highlighting the complexity of decisions women make regarding pregnancy.
• 🤰 The woman, in her late 20s, chose to have an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy due to a medication side effect and her mental health struggles post-sexual assault.
• 💔 In her late 30s, she faced a difficult decision when her unborn child was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, which led to a 20-50% chance of survival after the age of two.
• 🏥 Despite being advised to consider abortion, she and her partner chose to continue the pregnancy, demonstrating the courage and hope that can exist alongside difficult circumstances.
• 🤝 The speaker's professional experience in reproductive rights, including litigation and lobbying, provides a personal and informed perspective on the debate surrounding abortion.
• 🔍 The speaker critiques the polarized 'pro-choice' vs. 'pro-life' debate, suggesting that it oversimplifies the nuanced realities of women's reproductive decisions.
• 🌈 The speaker introduces the concept of a 'Technicolor' space, representing the multifaceted and colorful reality of women's lives, as opposed to the black-and-white portrayal of the abortion debate.
• 🚫 The current discourse is criticized for its divisiveness, with abortion becoming a litmus test for political candidates and judges, and for its failure to reduce unintended pregnancy rates.
• 🤰 The speaker calls for a new conversation that respects both women's autonomy and the sanctity of life, challenging the audience to move beyond entrenched positions.
• 🙏 The narrative includes diverse stories of women, such as those who choose adoption, those who continue pregnancies despite challenges, and those who face economic hardships, to illustrate the breadth of experiences.
• 💪 The speaker concludes with a call to bravery, urging the audience to acknowledge the complexity of reproductive decisions and to respect the moral agency of women in all their diversity.

Q & A

What was the woman in her late 20s dealing with after her sexual assault?

The woman was dealing with depression and PTSD after her sexual assault.

Why did the woman decide to have an abortion when she was in her late 20s?

She decided to have an abortion because she was not prepared to become a mother, and the man involved was not prepared to become a father.

What was the situation of the woman in her late 30s when she met Mike?

When she met Mike, they were in a relationship and had an unexpected pregnancy, but they were also joyful and made plans to start a family together.

What devastating news did the couple receive at their 19-week ultrasound?

They learned that their daughter had a severe heart abnormality with a 20 to 50% chance of survival after the age of two.

What were the factors the couple had to consider before making their decision about the pregnancy?

They had to consider the health of their daughter, the emotional, mental, and financial impact of raising a child with special needs, and the effect on their family.

What is the speaker's professional background in relation to reproductive rights?

The speaker has worked in the field of Reproductive Rights for 20 years, including being a litigator, a lobbyist, and counseling women who were pregnant.

Why does the speaker feel that the current debate on reproductive rights is unsatisfactory?

The speaker feels the debate is unsatisfactory because it is framed in polarities, which has led to a deeply divided public opinion and has not substantially decreased the unintended pregnancy rate.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to move beyond the current polarized debate?

The speaker suggests diving into the space in between the polarities, acknowledging the complexities and realities of women's lives, and having a conversation that recognizes both the value of autonomy and the respect for life.

What percentage of American women will have an abortion in their lifetime according to the speaker?

One-third of American women will have an abortion in their lifetime.

How does the speaker propose to change the conversation about reproductive rights?

The speaker proposes to change the conversation by acknowledging the intense gravity of deeply held beliefs on each side, respecting both women's autonomy and potential life, and recognizing that all decisions can be moral.