
Trump vs. Clinton - Race, Gender & Politics; Pronatalism
9/30/2016 | 25m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
How race and gender affect the presidential race, and is our society pronatalist?
Race, Gender & Politics: The racial and gender divides that surround the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Pronatalism: Why Michele Goodwin says American society is hyper-focused on childbirth. Panel: Debra Carnahan, Genevieve Wood, Patricia Sosa, Saba Ahmed
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Funding for TO THE CONTRARY is provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the Park Foundation and the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation.

Trump vs. Clinton - Race, Gender & Politics; Pronatalism
9/30/2016 | 25m 44sVideo has Closed Captions
Race, Gender & Politics: The racial and gender divides that surround the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Pronatalism: Why Michele Goodwin says American society is hyper-focused on childbirth. Panel: Debra Carnahan, Genevieve Wood, Patricia Sosa, Saba Ahmed
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipTHIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST GENDER RACE AND THE PREP SI.
AND PRONATALISM HOW REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INFLUENCE A WOMAN'S CHOICE TO BECOME A MOTHER.
HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.
WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.
UP FIRST POWER, GENDER, RACE AND THE PRESIDENCY.
A NEW ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL ASKED VOTERS IF WHITES OR MEN HAD TOO MUCH INFLUENCE, AND ABOUT HALF OF CLINTON SUPPORTERS YES.
IN THE SAME POLL, THE MAJORITY OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS SAID WHITES AND MEN HELD THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF INFLUENCE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ALMOST 40% (38) OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS SAY PERSONS OF COLOR HAD TOO MUCH INFLUENCE.
LESS THAN 10% (9) OF CLINTON SUPPORTERS AGREE.
DEMOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS AMONG THE CANDIDATES ARE STARK.
TRUMP LEADS AMONG WHITE MEN BY 40 POINTS, WHILE CLINTON LEADS AMONG ALL-NON WHITE VOTERS BY 50 POINTS.
CLINTON HOLDS A SLIM MARGIN AMONG WHITE WOMEN.
TRUMP IS TRYING TO HIT BACK AFTER A WIDELY-PANNED FIRST DEBATE PERFORMANCE.
HIS NEW CATCHPHRASE "FOLLOW THE MONEY" ATTACKS CLINTON, ACCUSING HER OF BEING CORRUPT.
BUT THIS NEW RHETORIC HAS BEEN QUESTIONED FOR LACKING EVIDENCE TO BACK UP HIS ACCUSATIONS.
TRUMP CONTINUED TO FEUD WITH FORMER MISS UNIVERSE ALICIA MACHADO, CLAIMING HE SAVED HER JOB.
MACHADO SAYS TRUMP INSULTED AND HUMILIATED HER AND CAUSED HER TO SUFFER EATING DISORDERS.
CLINTON IS TRYING TO RALLY YOUNG PEOPLE TO HER CAUSE AND IS COUNTING ON TOP SURROGATES TO HELP MAKE THE CASE.
BERNIE SANDERS, PRESIDENT OBAMA, VICE-PRESIDENT BIDEN, AND THE CANDIDATE'S FAMILY - CHELSEA AND BILL CLINTON - ARE ALL CAMPAIGNING FOR HER.
BUT MICHELLE OBAMA IS BEING CALLED "THE CLOSER."
THE FIRST LADY IS EXTREMELY POPULAR AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC BASE, AND SHE HAS WARNED VOTERS AGAINST CASTING A "PROTEST VOTE" WHICH COULD ENABLE A TRUMP VICTORY.
DEBRA IS HILLARY CLINTON STARTING TO IGNITE EXCITEMENT?
>> I THINK SHE IS.
I I HER PERFORMANCE ON THE DEBATE AT THE SAME TIME WAS PART OF THAT IGNITING THAT IS GOING ON.
PEOPLE ARE TALKING MORE THAN SAID SHE LOOKED PRESIDENTIAL.
THEY SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF HER BEING PRESIDENT NOW MORE SO I THINK HER PERFORMANCE HELPED HER A LOT.
>> EXCITEMENT IS NEVER THE WORD I WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE HILLARY CLINTON BUT I WILL SAY, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE DEMOCRATIC BASE WERE GETTING NERVOUS THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS NOT UP TO PAR AND MAYBE THIS PAST DEBATE HELPED HER SOLIDIFY THAT.
BUT BEYOND THAT, NOT SO SURE.
>> IT WAS HER PERFORMANCE IN THE DEBATE WAS BRILLIANT, DEFINITELY, HAVE IGNITED HER BASE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HELP HER TO CONSOLIDATE THE LATINO VOTE AND THE WOMAN VOTE.
>> AND IT ENERGIZED THE TRUMP VOTER BASE TO COME BACK AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT AND I THINK IT'S GOING FULL FORCE AND DESPITE HIS DEBATE PERFORMANCE I THINK WE HAVE A LOT TO SEE FROM HIM.
>> BUT THERE ARE REPORTS THAT HIS CAMPAIGN WAS -- THERE WAS ALL KINDS OF ARGUMENTS AND PROBLEMS IN THE CAMPAIGN THIS WEEK AND IT SEEMED TO BE SOME WERE SAYING IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO FALL APART, THE MACHINERY.
AND DO YOU THINK IT IS SMART FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO ATTACK ALICIA MACHADO AS LATE AS FRIDAY?
>> THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT HE NEEDS TO LET GO OF.
AND FOCUS MORE ON THE BIGGER PICTURE.
HE NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY AND CREATING JOBS AND IMPROVING NATIONAL SECURITY THOSE ARE THE CORE ISSUES THAT AMERICANS WANT TO SEE IN A PRESIDENT AND I HOPE HE WILL PROVIDE THAT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE PRESIDENT SOMEBODY THAT DOES NOT GET PROVOKED BY A TWEET BECAUSE IF THAT IS ALL IT TAKES WE ARE IN TROUBLE.
YOU KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE MUCH.
>> AND SHE MADE THAT POINT MONDAY NIGHT.
SHE IS GIVING UP ON OHIO.
IS THAT A GOOD SIGN?
>> WELL, SHE WAS GOING TO GO TO OHIO EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT SPENDING AS MUCH BECAUSE 80% OF THE POPULATION IS WHITE AND THEY THINK THAT IS DONALD'S BASE.
IT IS ABOUT THE BASE.
IT'S ABOUT MOBILIZING THE BASE.
ALMOST TO THE CONTRARY OF PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WHICH YOU HAVE TO POLARIZING AND UNIQUE AS A CANDIDATE FOR ME IT'S ABOUT THE CASE AND THAT IS WHY SHE WAS BRILLIANT.
SHE ABSORBED THE LANGUAGE OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AND ARTICULATED IN A CLEAR WAY HIS AGO TAG NICHE AGAINST WOMEN AND THE REGISTRATION OF LATINOS IS CREATING A MOVEMENT.
>> I THINK HILLARY BENEFITS FROM A POLARIZED ELECTORATE.
OHIO IS A MICROCOZUM.
>> NO PRESIDENT -- SINCE JACK KENNEDY IN 1960 HAS WON THE WHITE HOUSE WITHOUT OHIO.
>> AND THERE'S ONE REASON.
OHIO BELIEVE IT OR NOT IS VERY MUCH A MICROCOZUM OF THE COUNTRY.
LET ME FINISH.
>> THERE WAS AN ARTICLE THAT I READ SAYING THE OPPOSITE.
AN EXPERT IN OHIO POLITICS WAS SAYING WE ARE NO LONGER WE ARE TOO WHITE AND TOO OLD.
>> AND I DISAGREE WITH THAT.
IT HAS URBAN AND RURAL AREAS SO YOU HAVE FARMING AND CITIES.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF COLLEGES THERE.
SO YOU HAVE YOUNG AND OLD.
IT IS A REPRESENTATIVE AND THE FACT THAT HILLARY DECIDED TO MOVE OUT AND THAT YOU ARE FOCUSED ON LET'S JUST GO OUT AND REGISTER LA TEN KNOW VOTERS -- LATINO VOTERS WE WANT A COUNTRY WHERE ALL PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTIVE WHERE WE ARE GOING NOT SAYING WE WANT THIS GROUP TO VOTE AGAINST THIS GROUP.
>> BUT THE REALITY IS PEOPLE LINEUP BEHIND THEIR CANDIDATES AND DIFFERENT INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED BY THE CANDIDATES.
SO THAT IS WHY WE HAVE WHAT WE HAVE.
>> NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTED BY WHITE CANDIDATES.
>> NO BUT IT'S THE BEST WE GOT AND WE WILL HAVE ONE CANDIDATE REPRESENT THE COUNTRY BACK TO YOUR POINT GETTING OUT THE VOTE IS KEY RIGHT NOW.
IN EVERY RACE THAT YOU TALK TO.
THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH EXCITEMENT OUT THERE TO GET THE VOTE OUT.
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE WHAT YOU SAW IN 2008 AND 2012 FROM THE DEMOCRATS' POINT OF VIEW.
>> AND THAT FOR EXAMPLE IS WHY ONE OF OUR PANELISTS DONNA EDWARDS IS OUT STUMPING FOR HILLARY.
AND TRYING TO AROUSE THE BLACK VOTERS AND EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ELECTION AND SAID IT IS DIFFICULT BUT THINKS THEY WILL GET IT DONE.
>> ON TO -- LET'S GO BACK TO THE POLL.
ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE WHO THINK WHITES HAVE JUST ABOUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF POWER MORE LIKELY TO -- EXCUSE ME, FOR TRUMP AND MINORITIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR HER?
>> WELL, I THINK WITH ANY POLL, I WOULD WANT TO ASK WHAT DO PEOPLE MEAN BY THAT.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY POWER?
THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN OFFICE OR JOBS AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
I THINK THIS ELECTION I HOPE TURNS TO ISSUES THAT EVERYBODY CARES ABOUT AND I THINK DONALD TRUMP DOESN'T DO THE BEST JOB AT THAT HE GETS SIDETRACKED TALKING ABOUT OTHER ISSUES.
HAVING SAID THAT -- >> DOESN'T THAT RIGHT THERE, HIS INABILITY TO FOCUS.
HIS GREAT ABILITY TO RAMBLE DURING THE DEBATE, TO BE PROUD OF PAYING NO FEDERAL TAXES.
THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT BOTHER YOU?
>> A LOT OF AMERICANS SAY I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT, TOO.
>> BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF AMERICANS WHO PAY THEIR TAXES AND DO NOT APPRECIATE THAT A BILLIONAIRE BRAGS ABOUT NOT PAYING TAXES.
>> PEOPLE -- PART OF HIS SUCCESS IS THAT HE DOES DEFEND HIMSELF AND HE DOES SAY WHAT PEOPLE THINK AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH THE STRONG POLICY AGENDA, I THINK IT MAKES HIM A POWERFUL CANDIDATE.
HE IS NOT AFRAID.
>> LET ME AGREE ON ONE THING THAT HE IS VERY COMMITTED TO HIS BASE.
AND HE REALLY IS HAVING A CONTINUED DIALOGUE WITH HIS BASE AND WHEN HE SAYS SOMETHING HE STICKS TO IT AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY HE IS PERSISTENT ON IMMIGRATION.
>> HE HAS NOT WALKED BACK SO FAR IS THE NRA.
HE WALKED IT BACK ON IMMIGRATION, HE WALKED IT BACK ON ECONOMICS EVERYBODY KNOWS HE IS NOT BUILDING ANY WALL.
>> HIS RHETORIC HAS NOT CHANGED HIS RHETORIC CONTINUES TO BE THE SAME.
HE GOES TO MEXICO AND MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND GIVES A SPEECH IN ARIZONA WITH THE RHETORIC WE ARE GOING TO BUILD THE WALL AND KICK THE IMMIGRANTS OUT.
AND THEY LOVE HIM AND THEY LOVE THE I DON'T PAY MY TAXES HE IS SPEAKING TO THEM AND THE PROBLEM IS ONLY WITH HIS BASE HE IS NOT GOING TO GET ELECTED AND THERE GOES WHERE YOU GOT TO GET THE MILLENNIALS TO VOTE FOR HILLARY THAT IS IMPORTANT.
>> I THINK HIS POLICIES ARE EVOLVING AS ANY CAMPAIGN WOULD BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE IS TURNING OUT A LOT OF NEW VOTERS.
THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TURNOUT WAS THE HIGHEST EVER.
AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN NOVEMBER A LOT OF NEW VOTERS.
>> THE PRIMARY ELECTORATE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL.
>> HE HAS BEEN LEADING A LOT OF THE POLLS LATELY.
THERE IS OVER A MONTH TO GO AND I THINK THAT THAT STRONG BASE.
>> 538 GIVING HILLARY 51.5% CHANCE OF GETTING ELECTED ON MONDAY.
ON FRIDAY IT WAS UP OVER 70%.
THAT IS HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT HER PERFORMANCE HAD.
>> AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER IT IS AN ETERNITY FROM HERE TO ELECTION DAY.
SIX WEEKS OR ALMOST SIX WEEKS IS A LOT OF TIME FOR THINGS TO CHANGE WITHIN THIS RACE.
>> AND WE HAVE TWO MORE DEBATES COMING UP I THINK DONALD TRUMP'S PERFORMANCE WILL BE DIFFERENT AND GOING FORWARD HE IS GOING TO BE REACHING OUT TO MINORITIES AND NEW VOTERS.
AND HILLARY CLINTON IS NOT PROVIDING A NEW VISION FOR AMERICA.
HE IS PROVIDING THE MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN CAMPAIGN AND EVERYTHING THAT IS AROUND IT.
>> IT IS A SLOGAN.
>> SLOGAN IS AN ATTACK.
>> WAIT, I WANT TO MOVE BEFORE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.
HE INSINIATED DURING THE DEBATE AND THEN FLAT OUT SAID AFTER THE DEBATE THAT HE DID NOT BRING UP THE CLINTON MARITAL PROBLEMS BECAUSE HE HAD TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR CHELSEA AND NOW THE SURROGATES HAVE BEEN TOLD TO GO OUT AND BRING IT UP.
WITH ALL HIS MARITAL PROBLEMS, WITH ALL THE RUMORS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE ABOUT HIS SEXUAL EXPLOITS, IS THAT AS SMART THING FOR HIM TO RAISE?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL I DO NOT THINK SURROGATES HAVE TO RAISE IT I THINK REPORTERS ARE RAISING THE QUESTION.
THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WHAT DID HE MEAN BY THAT?
EVERYBODY KNEW.
LOOK, I THINK BOTH CAMPAIGNS WILL DO WELL TO MOVE BEYOND THOSE ISSUES AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.
>> BUT WHO IS IT GOING TO HURT MORE?
>> I THINK BOTH -- WE DON'T.
WELL, LOOK I DO NOT THINK HILLARY CLINTON WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT AND I DO NOT BLAME HER.
BECAUSE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH DONALD TRUMP.
SHE HAD TO PUT UP WITH THAT IN HER LIFE AND NOT ONLY IN HER LIFE ALL OF OUR LIVES BECAUSE HER HUSBAND WAS LIVING SOME OF IT OUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
I DO NOT WANT TO GET INTO THAT DIRT MYSELF.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE BUT IT IS NOT A BENEFIT FOR DEMOCRATS TO BRING THAT UP AND I DO NOT THINK THAT DONALD TRUMP NEEDS TO BRING IT UP.
>> I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST IT IS TO HER ADVANTAGE TO BRING IT UP.
>> BECAUSE HE HAD THE INFIDELITIES.
HILLARY DID NOT HAVE THE INFIDELITIES.
>> THE QUESTION IS HOW DID SHE TREAT THE WOMEN THAT WERE DRUG THROUGH THE DIRT BY HER HUSBAND.
>> THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE BRINGING THIS UP AND THEY WANT LIKE A LOW FEVER THING THEY DO NOT CONFRONT HER BECAUSE SHE HAS A GOOD ANSWER.
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE -- GENEVIEVE IT SHOULD BE ABOUT THE ISSUES AND IT'S NOT IT'S ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.
THAT IS THE SCARY PART.
>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WANT DIRTY POLITICS.
HILLARY CLINTON CALLED CLINTON'S GIRLFRIENDS A LOT OF BAD NAMES AS WELL.
BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.
WE HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE COUNTRY WITH ISIS AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEMS.
WE HAVE ECONOMY LESS TAXES.
I MEAN DONALD TRUMP HAS AN AGENDA THAT COULD REALLY PROVIDE STRONG LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON RATHER THAN BRINGING OURSELVES DOWN.
>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME ON THIS TOPIC.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.
BEHIND THE HEADLINES: DOES OUR SOCIETY PROMOTE CHILDBIRTH AS THE ONLY MEASURE OF A WOMAN'S WORTH?
WE SPEAK WITH A LAW PROFESSOR AND EXPERT ON FAMILY LAW AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WHO SAYS A SENSE OF "PRONATALISM" HOLDS TOO MUCH INFLUENCE IN OUR NATION.
PRONATALISM IS THIS SENSE WITHIN OUR COUNTRY THAT WOMEN'S PLACE TO BE MAKING BABIES AND HAVING BABIES AND IT SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT REPRODUCTION AND THAT WOMAN'S WORTH COMES FROM BEING A MOTHER AND COMES FROM EXCLUSIVELY BEING A MOTHER NOT THAT IT IS COMPLIMENTARY TO THINGS A WOMAN MIGHT DO SUCH AS ENJOYING A JOB, LIKING NATURE ANY OF THE THINGS THAT MEN GET TO DO AND WE CELEBRATE.
>> SINCE THE FOUNDING OF OUR COUNTRY WOMEN HAVE ADVANCED AS CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY.
ASIDE FROM BEING WIVES OR MOTHERS.
BUT MICHELLE GOODWIN LAW PROFESSOR SAYS WE STARTED GOING BACKWARDS.
>> WE HAVE HAD A SLIP BACK INTO A VERY CURIOUS PLACE.
AND PART OF IT IS POLITICAL AND PART IS SCIENTIFIC.
THE SENSE THAT WHAT BIOTECHNOLOGY DOES PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYBODY TO PARENT OR THINK THAT THEY CAN PARENT NOW MAKES IT ALL COME BACK AGAIN, RIGHT?
SO IT IS TO SAY IF NATURE DID NOT PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO PARENT GUESS WHAT?
NOW WE HAVE SCIENCE THAT CAN DO IT.
SO YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO TRY TO BECOME A MOTHER AND FULFILL THIS ROLE.
>> INCREASE IN PREMATURE BIRTHS AND EXPENSIVE NEONATE TALL UNITS AND DESPITE THE EXPENSE AND THIS EMPHASIS ON GIVING BIRTH, THE U.S. IS RANKED 60TH PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR INFANT MORTALITY AND NEAR 50TH PLACE FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY.
>> WE DO A TERRIBLE JOB WHEN IT COMES TO INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ALTOGETHER IT IS A PLACE THAT HAS BECOME POLITICIZED AND DOCTORS HAVE BECOME AGENTS OF THE STATE TO INFORM POLICE OF WHAT WOMEN DO DURING HER PREGNANCY.
THE PRONATE TALLISM MEANS PUSHING WOMEN INTO PREGNANCY THAT SOMETIMES THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE AND RESTRICTING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO TERMINATE PREGNANCIES WHICH THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO AND IT MEANS THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PREGNANT AND TRYING EVEN IF COULD BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH.
>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY STATES HAVE ENACTED LAWS THAT VALUE THE FETUS MORE THAN THE MOTHER.
>> THERE ARE IN 38 STATES THEY HAVE LAWS THAT ARE LAWS THAT IF A WOMAN DOES SOMETHING DURING HER PREGNANCY THAT MIGHT RISK THE HEALTH OF THE FETUS THAT THE WOMAN COULD BE PROSECUTED UNDER SOME STATUTE IN THE LAW.
AND WHAT IS PROBLEMATIC ABOUT THESE LAWS IS THAT ANYTHING COULD TRIGGER A MISCARRIAGE OR STILLBIRTH.
>> AND SHE OFFERS EXAMPLES HOW THESE LAWS ARE USED TO PERSECUTE AND PROSECUTE WOMEN.
>> WE HAVE THE CASES LIKE IN TEXAS WITH MARLIES MUNOZ SHE HAS AN ANEURYSM AND IS BRAIN KED.
THE STATE OF TEXAS FORCES HER TO INCUBATE THE FETUS.
HER HUSBAND AND HER PARENTS BOTH SAY SHE NEVER WANTED THIS.
THE STATE OF TEXAS OVERRODE HER DECISION AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IN NEARLY THREE DOZEN STATES IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT SHE ACTUALLY CANNOT MAKE THAT DECISION DURING HER PREGNANCY BECAUSE A STATE CAN OVERRIDE IT.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY YOU CAN SEE THIS PATIENT WORK OF LAWS THAT BEGAN -- PATCHWORK OF LAWS THAT BEGAN BEING ENACTED AND TARGETED AT WOMEN OF COLOR TECHNICALLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS.
WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW IS THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION THE FURTHER INCONSTITUTIONALLIZATION OF THE EFFORTS.
>> DO YOU AGREE THERE'S PRESSURE ON SOCIETY TO HAVE KIDS?
I HAVE TO TELL YOU AS A CHILD-FREE BY CHOICE WOMAN OF 62 YEARS, MARRIED FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, I FELT A LOT OF PRESSURE OH, YOU DON'T HAVE CHILDREN?
AND IN MY CASE, THE MACHINERY WORKS AND I SOMETIMES I FEEL PRESSURE TO SAY THAT NOT TO MY FAMILY, MY FAMILY IS WONDERFUL.
BUT TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS?
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU.
>> I'M SURE THERE'S SOME OF THAT.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY, I KNOW MORE PEOPLE WHO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN AND THEY CAN'T FOR WHATEVER REASON.
AT LEAST MAYBE THAT IS MY AGE GROUP.
BUT NO.
I KNOW -- I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN I'M SINGLE.
AND USUALLY MORE LIKE ARE YOU MARRIED?
THAT IS THE BIG THING, RIGHT?
BUT I -- >> EVEN THAT IS -- EVEN THAT IS LIKE WHERE DO PEOPLE COME OFF TRYING TO DECIDE THAT MAYBE YOU ARE -- THERE ARE -- 20% OF AMERICANS ARE NOT MARRIED.
>> BUT MOST PEOPLE DO WANT TO BE MARRIED AND MOST PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN AND THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM YOU ASSUME THE PERSON YOU ARE TALKING TO MAY BE IN THAT SPACE AND MOST SINGLE GIRLFRIENDS I HAVE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE MARRIED.
MANY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CHILDREN BUT THAT IS NOT SOCIETY PUTTING PRESSURE ON THEM.
THEY WANTED TO BE A MOM.
>> IT'S PART OF BEING A GIRL LIKE PART OF BEING A WOMAN.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU, TRYING TO BECOME A MOM IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS OF MY LIFE AND IT BRINGS SOMETHING NEW AND NO MATTER HOW MANY CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS AND I HAD AND OTHER STUFF I HAD, BECOMING A MOM IS A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE AND IT'S GREAT TO -- I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE UNDERMINED.
ENCOURAGING A WOMAN OF COLOR TO GET ABORTIONS.
>> WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT UNDERMINING IT HERE.
IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM.
NO, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SOCIETY THAT PUTS PRESSURE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
NOBODY IS SAYING DON'T HAVE KIDS YOU CANNOT HAVE KIDS.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN ARE YOU NOT A WOMAN.
YOU ARE NOT A WORTHY WOMAN.
>> WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM?
>> I THINK THE EXAMPLES ME SHE IS USING AND THERE IS A GOOD SIDE.
I LOVE MY CHILDREN AND I WANTED THEM AND THEY WERE INVITRO AND I'M BEING PUBLIC ABOUT THAT AND THEY ARE NORMAL.
AND FORWARD THE DEBATE BUT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT -- >> SHE IS TALKING ABOUT THE INVITRO INDUSTRY.
>> AND THE CONTEXT WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE MAKING DECISIONS WHEN THEY DO NOT WANT THE KID AND WHEN THEY ARE SICK ALL THE LAWS THE WOMAN IN A COMA AND WAS FORCED THE FAMILY WAS FORCED TO KEEP THE BABY.
SO THAT THERE IS A DARK SIDE TO THIS THAT I THINK THAT IS THE ONE SHE WANTS TO PUT MORE LIGHT AND HAVE MORE OF A DEBATE ABOUT THAT.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE LAWS ENACTED ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND AS SHE SAID IN A PATCHWORK FASHION.
OUR LEGISLATORS MAKE THE LAWS AND OUR STATE LEGISLATORS ARE DOMINATED BY MEN.
SO WE HAVE MEN -- >> AND CHRISTIAN EVANGELICALS, TOO.
>> AND MAKING THESE DECISIONS FOR WOMEN.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING WOMEN IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE PREGNANT AND WE THINK WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REACH INTO THEIR BODY AND THEN TELL THEM HOW TO BE AND IF YOU DO NOT BE THE WAY I'M TELLING YOU TO BE THAT IS JAIL.
THAT IS AN HORRIFIC AMOUNT OF POWER TO GIVE TO A JUDGE.
>> THAT IS A DEBATE OVER ABORTION AND A DEBATE OVER PEOPLE WHO THINK A BABY IS A BABY BEFORE THEY ARE BORN.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT IF I'M CARRYING MY CHILD AND SIX MONTHS PREGNANT AND THE JUDGE THINKS YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRINKING OR YOU SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT.
THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE.
THAT THEY FEEL THEY CAN COME IN AND DO THAT.
>> BUT, WELL, LET ME ASK YOU.
IT COMES BACK TO AGAIN WHETHER PEOPLE THINK THAT IS A HUMAN BEING THE BABY AT SIX MONTHS OLD VERSUS PEOPLE WHO DON'T.
IF THE BABY WAS OUTSIDE YOUR WOOSM YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ABUSE IT THAT WAY.
WE HAVE LAWS SAYING YOU CANNOT ABUSE A HUMAN BEING BUT BECAUSE IT'S INSIDE IT IS OK. >> I'M NOT SAYING IT'S OK THE AND IT'S NOT HEALTHY FOR THE BABY.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT A WOMAN AND HELP THE WOMAN GET HELP.
IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WOMEN ARE ABUSING THEIR BODIES WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE SOCIETY AND THE SYSTEM WE GIVE THEM TO SUPPORT THEM.
>> AND WHETHER OR NOT SOCIETY IS PRESSURING WOMEN TO HAVE BABIES.
THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE TWO THINGS ARE DISCONNECTED.
>> SHE TIED IT UP NICELY.
>> THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEN SHE IS REFERRING TO THE POOR CARE THAT THE LOW BIRTH BABIES.
>> TALKING ABOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING?
THAT IS NOT GOING TO WORK.
>> AND ALSO THEY NEED TO BE SUPPORTED.
LOOK AT THE STATISTICS HOW LOW WE ARE IN THE WORLD WITH OUR INFANT MORTALITY AND WOMEN DYING THAT TELLS ME WE ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR WOMEN IN THESE SITUATIONS AND GIVING THEM THE SUPPORT WE NEED.
WE ARE SITTING HERE ARGUING ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND MATERNAL LEAVE AND CAN GUYS ARE THE LEAVE AND THE WORLD IS SO FAR IN FRONT OF US IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
>> I KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE WITH INVITRO KIDS NOW.
BUT AND THAT IS THE GOOD SIDE OF THE INDUSTRY.
BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN HAS ADVANCES IN FERTILITY MEDICINE PUT MORE PRESSURE ON WOMEN TO HAVE CHILDREN?
>> WELL THERE IS CERTAINLY A CHOICE THAT YOU DID NOT HAVE BEFORE.
AND, YES, IF YOU TRY TO EXERCISE THAT CHOICE WHICH I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IS FRUSTRATING.
SO IT PROLONGS SORT OF THE AGONY IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING PREGNANT TO DECIDE WELL, I CANNOT DO IT.
I AM A FAN OF ADOPTION THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT I BELIEVE STRONGLY IN.
THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DISADVANTAGE WITH INVITRO THAT FAMILIES WOULD HAVE BEEN ADOPTING CHILDREN.
>> I THINK THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT IS FABULOUS.
AND I THINK HAVING CHOICES IS GOOD BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT THE RIGHT APPROACH WE ARE LOSING OUR TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES AND THE CONSERVATIVE BASE GOT IS BEING IGNITED THIS ELECTION IS PARTLY ALSO BECAUSE THIS WAR LIKE THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY AND I THINK YOU KNOW ENCOURAGING WOMEN AND JUST THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY ROLES IS WHAT IS NEEDED AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN MOVE TOWARDS A SOCIETY WHERE ALL THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES CAN BE PRESERVED AND WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR NEXT GENERATION.
>> YOU KNOW THAT ABORTION IS DECREASING IN THE COUNTRY NOT INCREASING.
>> WHILE THE POPULATION IS EXPLODING BY THE WAY.
SO THE NUMBERS ARE -- >> DIDN'T WE DROP AS NOT REPLACING OURSELVES IN AMERICA?
>> NO.
THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS HERE.
HE WHICH I WAS WORN THE POPULATION IN THE 50s WAS 170 MILLION.
IT'S 320 ALMOST 330 MILLION.
>> IN TERMS OF REPOPULATING WE FELL BELOW IT.
>> WITH THE IMMIGRATION WE ARE MORE.
>> IMMIGRATION BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING FAMILIES.
>> SORRY WE ARE OUT OF TIME.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.
WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
[♪♪] FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT OUR PBS WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.
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