You Know, I Wouldn't Even Mind That Much That We Have Been To Socialized To Shave, Because Obviously

You know, I wouldn't even mind that much that we have been to socialized to shave, because obviously men have been too, and societies will always have different ideas of what is considered 'normal' personal grooming, however there are two major differences between men and women's shaving in modern society:

1. Men are expected to shave their faces and women are expected to literally rid themselves of all body hair, especially their legs, underarms, and bikini area, which is a hell of a lot more work, and

2. While men having beards aren't as common as clean shaven men today, no one freaks out and calls men with beards 'gross' or 'unhygienic' the way they do when women choose not to shave their underarms or legs.

When these two things change, maybe I will actually consider women choosing to shave as a personal choice. For now, though, it remains a practice too greatly influenced by negative societal pressure to be considered something one can independently choose to do. Sticking with the status quo is rarely something we consciously choose to do, especially not without exposure to the fact that there even is another choice.

Also, in the face of several very 'black and white' posts I have seen on radblr, I feel like I need to say this: I would be lying if I said I was not a hypocrite about these socialized standards sometimes, because it can be hard to escape from societal pressure. To the other young radfems out there, especially those of us who left liberal feminism to join the radical side, please know that it's okay if you can't wake up tomorrow and quit shaving, quit wearing makeup, quit caring about everything you have been socialized to care about for years, all at once. It might take a while and you know what? At the end of the day, I would rather young girls went out and saw some women with hairy legs and makeup, and some other women with bare faces and shaved legs, than for them to go out and see only shaved legs and makeup. So if you have given up shaving but you haven't given up eyeliner yet, don't fret about not being a "real radfem". Our job as radical feminists is about promoting liberation from men, and to do that, we have to join together as women to be supportive of one another. And if you show up to protest the Oklahoma abortion ban with lipstick on, or you spread the word that women deserve spots just for biological females and fight for that right with shaved underarms, I'm certainly not going to yell at you that you can't dare call yourself a radical feminist looking like that. There are bigger fish to fry.

Sincerely,

A radfem with hairy legs who isn't quite ready to give up her eyeliner and tinted chapstick just yet.

China Abandons One-Child Policy

Today, China abandoned its 35 year-old one-child policy. 

Based on the now debunked threat of overpopulation that was popularized by Stanford University scholar Paul Ehrlich, the communist government subjected the Chinese people to forced sterilizations and abortions. Many new-born babies were either killed or left to die. 

Today, the Chinese population suffers from a dangerous gender imbalance that favors boys over girls at a ratio of 117:100, and a demographic implosion that threatens future economic growth and prosperity. 

The one-child policy is a reminder of what happens when governments are allowed to interfere in deeply personal decisions of individual citizens and their families.

Dear (the all white male governments of) Oklahoma and Texas,

How do I say this kindly without making you look like an idiot. See you have both been all about "saving lives" by reducing abortion rates and forcing women to carry their pregnancies to term. I won't even get into that is not saving lives but will instead point you towards the state of Colorado.

A landmark report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment two years ago credited IUDs, which are T-shaped pieces of plastic inserted into the uterus, for a major decrease in unwanted pregnancies among teenagers. 

The birth rate for girls ages 15 to 19 in Colorado dropped by more than half in an eight-year period, falling 59% from 2009 to 2017. The abortion rate among Colorado teens fell by 60% during those eight years.

Colorado spent $28 million in grant funds during those years to supply IUDs to 75 public health clinics in Colorado, including several inside high schools. Women and teens received 43,714 free IUDs from 2009 to 2016, thanks to a grant from billionaire Warren Buffett’s family. 

The grant ended, but the state has maintained the program through state and federal funds, as well as the expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. There are 29 contractors who work in 78 clinics throughout Colorado providing free and low-cost IUDs, said Jody Camp, manager of the family planning unit at the state health department. 

Try primary prevention first and actually giving women access to long-term contraceptive Healthcare for free, and you might find that many of them don't want a pregnancy in the first place, and thus increased contraception has lowered their abortion rates.

I will always argue that the contraceptive prevention of conceiving a child between two parents who do not want a child, is considerably more ethical than forcing a mother to carry to term and then placing the unwanted child in our messed up, shitty foster system.

Primary prevention. Google it, Oklahoma.

Lefty Cartoons

reblog to support Bisexual Birb

You can also get the copper IUD as emergency contraception up to 7-10 days after sex!

Plan B is shelf stable for up to 4 years. Afterpill is shelf stable for about 18 months.

Plan B is currently available over the counter, and you can find coupons for it online for various retailers; some of those coupons require a prescription so check the coupon details carefully. Both of these medications can be ordered online.

Plan B and Afterpill in the 1.5mg tablets are less effective for people over 176 pounds, however it is safe to double the dose, so if you are heavier order two doses. Ella is also effective for heavier people, but requires a prescription.

Emergency contraception is effective for a short period after sex. You need to take Plan B or Afterpill within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

IUDs and birth control implants are effective long-term birth control that does not require your partner to participate in using the birth control or even be aware of it. IUDs are 99% effective and are effective for 3-12 years depending on type. Planned Parenthood can place an IUD for you, and so can many gynecologist's offices, and IUDs are covered under most health insurance plans. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist about how to get an IUD. Birth control implants are 99% effective and are effective for up to 5 years. Like IUDs, you can talk to your doctor or gynecologist, or visit Planned Parenthood, to get an IUD.

The birth control methods listed here are not effective for preventing STIs, they are for pregnancy prevention only.

If you can become pregnant but do not want to be pregnant, now is a good time to consider a long-term birth control option like an IUD or a birth control implant, and to purchase emergency contraception like Plan B or Afterpill to have it onhand in an emergency.