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A Socialist (Party U.S.A.) Perspective on Reproductive Rights

The struggle of women for the right to control their own bodies is part of the struggle for human dignity. As long as women do not control their own fertility, they will continue to be an underclass. As long as women continue to be an underclass in relation to men and to society, none of us is really free; we are forced into the role of oppressor or oppressed.

For centuries, women have been forced to submit to control of their sexuality and child bearing by cultural practices, family patriarchs or "experts." This control served the wealthy classes by guaranteeing the legetimate inheritance of land and property, and by ensuring that there would be enough laborers to work in fields and factories.

By the turn of the 20th century women began to challenge this oppression. In many states, it was a crime to teach women about birth control. Federal law prohibited sending birth control information through the mail. Doctors, clergymen and husbands appointed themselves experts to control the actions of women. In response, women created an activist, radical social movement to teach one another about their bodies and about birth control.

One of the leading activists of the birth control movement was Margaret Sanger, a Socialist Party member. Sanger was a relentless agitator, unwilling to accept oppression. She travelled across the country sharing information about birth control and setting up clinics to distribute contraceptives. As a result of her efforts she was jailed several times, but ultimately the movement succeeded. By uniting to fight oppression, the movement found the strength to change long existing ideas and practices.

Members of the Socialist Party have been active in the continuing struggle to win and keep reproductive rights since Margaret Sanger's day. As socialist feminists we view reproductive rights as essential to building a society where each person can develop to the fullest potential.

In recent years, a renewed attack has been made on women's reproductive rights. The so-called pro-life movement, which commonly labels Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women and other pro-choice groups as "pro-death," continues to push for a Constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion. Some zealots harass women going into clinics, bomb or threaten to bomb clinics, and intimidate clinic workers.

Today, the Socialist Party continues to take a strong stand on the right of people to control their own reproduction, to make decisions about their sexuality and the unequivocal right of women to free, safe and legal abortions. The Socialist Party participates in coalitions and networks to advance reproductive rights. At the local level, socialists, along with others are standing between women and their harassers by escorting women at clinics.

Freedom of choice must be a basic right in any society which hopes to advance human dignity. Freedom of choice goes beyond women's right to choose an abortion. As socialist feminists we work to build a society where there is no economic, legal or other coercion to force women to bear children or to have abortions.

Reproductive rights cannot be guaranteed just by passing a law. Legal rights are hollow if people do not have the means to freely exercise our rights. Everyone in our society ought to be entitled to decent and affordable housing (including family oriented dwellings), free and available childcare, and income support to help in child raising. Each worker should have the right to maternity/paternity leave of six months or more to nurtue and bond with their newborn children. Birth control should be free and available. Sex education should be taught in all school grades and through public information campaigns. The stigma attached to unwed mothers is cruel, sexist and must be overcome.

The socialist movement is a struggle for all human rights, for social justice and economic democracy. JOIN US.