Posts Tagged ‘celebs’
My (Likely Unpopular) Opinion on the Duggars
Monday, December 12th, 2011Let me start by clarifying that I do NOT think that Michelle Duggar’s miscarriage is any way a punishment, or just deserts or anything like that. Loss is a sad thing, and how many children you had prior to that loss is not relevant to the amount of pain it causes.
However, I do take issue with the fact that I’m supposed to weep tears of sorrow on the Duggars’ behalf. Or the idea that loss somehow negates responsibility for your actions.
They were told repeatedly that another pregnancy could very well end in one or more deaths. They willfully ignored medical advice in pursuit of another pregnancy, and it resulted in one or more deaths. Sad? Yes, absolutely.
But no more sad than the thousands of other women, caught up in Gothard-ism and Quiverfull and so on, (sects that place heavy emphasis on procreation and “God’s will”) who have lost children and their lives by engaging in the same behaviour. It is very hard for me to have sympathy for a family that seeks to glorify and romanticize such behaviour and beliefs that routinely put women at risk.
And while I understand the reaction people have had to anything that might possibly be criticism of the Duggar parents and their beliefs at this time, I disagree with the idea that we *shouldn’t* speak up. That we should pretend that this is normal, healthy behaviour.
It’s a tricky situation. I’ve seen pro-life people triumphitly declare, “Ah! See? You’re all for choice as long as it is the choice you’d make!” Let me attempt to clarify. I’m all for reproductive freedom, and Michelle Duggar’s choice is just that; her choice. I would happily go to bat for her right to continue to make that choice. But that doesn’t mean that I have to agree with her choice.
For many women who are in these various sects/religions that embrace this same philosophy, they have no choice. They are told how to dress, act, and speak. They are not given a choice of what they would like to do with their lives. And they certainly don’t have a choice when it comes to birth control. If they dare to attempt a choice? They will be made to suffer. That is what is (a small part of the horrors) behind the scenes of the religion/world view that the Duggars promote.
I certainly don’t hold all of life’s answers in my hands, but I refuse to believe that a religion/sect that routinely degrades women, routinely puts them in danger and routinely takes away choice (in so many areas) is what was intended by *any* Higher Power. And I will speak out against it.
Slightly Similar Nonsense: