Yeah, it’s a sad history on both sides of birth/no birth compulsion for sure. My husband was active with the American Indian Movement in the 70’s and knew Native women who were forcibly sterilized, it’s an appalling bit of history more recent than many realize.
The ironic thing is that, if voluntary, free birth control for low-income women might be welcomed by many of those women, but would be fought tooth and nail by just the same kinds of conservatives that push the forced version. Which I guess really proves your point that it’s all about the choice.
Mormons are very pro-natal, good term! As a girl, every aspect of my young life was geared towards that being my ultimate purpose on earth. I remember being just crushed that I was so bad at cake decorating and that, according to the teacher and the other girls, I would never find a husband and fulfill God’s plan for me.
Despite that, the pro-family aspect of the church is hypnotic- visiting still-Mormon relatives, I am moved by the real adoration that they have for their huge families of sweet children. Until I realize that somewhere in that group of kids is likely some little girl or boy that won’t grow up to fit the mold, and much of that adoration will vanish.
