Hello again lovelies!
So the past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. The Purity Myth is serious business! It made me realize, I have so much more to learn about this world. On one hand, it's understandable to think that in less developed countries, women do not have the same privileges as men. They do not have many resources, they don't have birth control options, there aren't that many doctors to look over their reproductive health and they are seen as just property for men. But in America? In the country that I live, just a few states across there are women who are still being lied to, and forced to conform to traditional gender roles and ideals. That terrifies me. I lived in New York my whole life. Considering how privileged the women in this state are, to have the ability to get an abortion or have birth control options, it's mind-boggling that other states, that are just as a part of the US as New York, do not have the same privileges.
I believe the worst part about the purity myth is, one, the women subjected to the purity movement are being lied to and judged solely on their sexuality. They are told that contraceptives do not work. They are prevented from getting vaccinated (that will only benefit their health) solely on the fear of being promiscuous. They are told that staying "pure" until marriage should be their ultimate goal. They are also told that without purity, no man will ever want to marry them and they will be damaged forever. This is all complete crap and no woman should ever be told that their worth is solely based on if they are sexually "pure" or not. There are so many more characteristics a person can have. A person can be a good or bad person and it's not because of their sexuality. Second, the stories of the physicians and pharmacists who refuse to provide care and medicine to women who want to obtain birth control pills or an abortion are despicable. Whatever happened to the Physician's Oath? Science? Objectivity? How can a doctor, a person in a position of authority who has the trust of innocent people, disregard research and science? A doctor who refuses to provide care to a patient solely because of personal preference should not be a doctor at all. A pharmacist who would lie to a customer and would prevent a woman from taking care of herself is disgraceful. There is a serious lack of professionalism here! It isn't fair that some women are not getting the proper care they need to protect themselves.
The purity myth made me realize, and reassured me, that I am on a path to a very rewarding and a very needed career. As a young woman who strongly believes in science, the medical field and the right to choose for all women, I want to be able to teach women about their bodies, birth control and how they can be the healthiest woman they can be. This makes me want to be a midwife even more because every woman deserves someone who will look out for them and their best interests. I want to be able to tell as many women as possible that they have options, they do not have to have children if they do not want to at this time, and they can be as free and sexually liberated as they want to be and still be healthy, protected and respected. It makes me proud to be on this path towards midwifery because I can say that I help women become more empowered, more in control of their body and life, and I can deliver more babies into the world and leave them with a mother who is stronger than ever before.
I'm so gonna kick this purity movement's ass!
Stay Strong, Stay Beautiful, Stay Empowered
(...and most importantly, stay AWAY from purity balls...seriously) hehe.
Love,
Rosely
