Of matters of the womb

The last few months have seen the womb take centre stage in current affairs. First there was the debate on Nikita Mehta and her right to abort, then came news about a transgendered male giving birth; no sooner had that issue died than the question of motherhood and its responsibilities came up when the Union Government introduced a law that would allow female government employees up to two years leave to raise their children; close on its heels came the news that the Centre is all set to legalise commercial surrogacy and before that debate had hit the ground, the controversy over a British Family Planning group’s publication of a sex manual for six year olds absorbed the chattering classes; of course looming over all this and consuming acres of newsprint is Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s awe-inspiring feats of motherhood (I cannot remember when the breaking of an amniotic sac has
become a subject of national concern previously).

You see what I mean — recently the womb has given rise to so much debate and discussion and as if the issue has not been dilated enough (I couldn’t resist that awful pun) I thought I’d add my two bits to the subject:

Men just don’t get it. Most of the debate on these recent issues arises from the male population’s primeval fear of reproduction. It is the one and perhaps only female act that has fascinated, mesmerised, distracted, and confounded them. Would Palin make a
good VP? Should government employees get maternity benefits? Is it ethical for Nikita to abort her foetus? Will the legalising of surrogacy give rise to even more vexed issues?
I am not saying that these issues have not engaged women, of course they have, but from what I have observed, women have a much more pragmatic, no nonsense, let’s-get-on-with-it approach to reproduction, motherhood, gender politics and maternal responsibility.

In the case of Nikita Mehta’s right to abort, most women cut straight to the heart of the matter and saw the urgency and poignancy in a mother’s quest to have the perfect baby; on the government’s reforms on leave for mothers, most women take the view that it discriminates against fathers, childless women and will in fact work against women, and therefore should be afforded to couples with the option of either parent availing of the leave; as for legalising surrogacy, if it protects the surrogate mother, gives her health care, insurance and adequate compensation — where’s the debate?

The sex book for six year olds is a welcome and salutary nod in recognising that if kids are not taught sex responsibly, they will get it from street corners and porn sites. The fact that a transgenedered man gave birth in a world where women marry each other and buy sperm from banks, only levels the playing field.

So what’s left? Ah yes,

Sarah Palin and her ability to fulfil her vice presidential role if she is elected. Putting partisan politics aside, I’d say it’s a non issue. Motherhood is not a debilitating millstone around a working woman’s neck. As a mother who works, and the daughter of one who worked with three kids at home, most women like me see motherhood as something that enhances and empowers all aspects of our lives. It’s what makes us creative, alive and connected to deeper wisdoms that few men have access to.

So to all those men vexed by the womb and its issues I’d say: get over it — like we get on with our lives, Blackberries in one hand, breast pumps in the other!
Email: s_malavika@dnaindia.net