{"id":34101,"date":"2021-09-24T12:32:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T16:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/philip.greenspun.com\/blog\/?p=34101"},"modified":"2021-09-24T20:02:37","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T00:02:37","slug":"its-hard-to-fight-the-centuries-old-idea-that-womanhood-and-childbirth-are-inextricably-linked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/philip.greenspun.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/24\/its-hard-to-fight-the-centuries-old-idea-that-womanhood-and-childbirth-are-inextricably-linked\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s hard to fight the centuries-old idea that womanhood and childbirth are inextricably linked"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From CNET, originally a source of information about technology, “Women aren’t the only people who can get pregnant”<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone who gives birth is a mom. Trans, non-binary and intersex people can and do get pregnant, too, and they have a place in the parenting world.<\/p>

Though it’s hard to fight the centuries-old idea that womanhood and childbirth are inextricably linked<\/strong>, the ability to get pregnant doesn’t automatically make someone a woman. Many of the issues that affect women can affect trans, non-binary and intersex people, too, and that includes pregnancy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Yet fight we must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some helpful vocabulary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chestfeeding: Some trans and non-binary parents choose to feed their babies with their own milk. You can swap out “chest” for “breast,” and “chestfeeding” for “breastfeeding.” Refer to the milk as “chest milk” or “human milk.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But don’t men have breasts? (After 1.5 years of coronalockdowns, sometimes pretty significant in size<\/a>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, CNN celebrated<\/a> two apparently healthy guys who didn’t give birth occupying one of the hospital beds that CNN also said were scarce to the point that Americans were dying for want of a hospital bed. I like the implication that the depicted individuals had actually pushed the babies out themselves (is there no limit to the credit that white men will steal?) and also that the browser renders this with a “99% acceptance” ad. Let’s hope that not even 1% of Americans would be sufficiently Deplorable to object to these guys getting credit for baby production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

See also “Why that tired ‘men v. women’ line won’t work with Texas’ new abortion law”<\/a> (Arizona Central):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harvard Medical School agrees, using \u201cbirthing person\u201d to include \u201cthose who identify as non-binary or transgender because not all who give birth identify as \u2018women\u2019 or \u2018girls.\u2019 \u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And the apology from Harvard<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar panelists used the term “birthing person” to include those who identify as non-binary or transgender because not all who give birth identify as “women” or “girls.” We understand the reactions to this terminology and in no way meant for it to erase or dehumanize women.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Women will not be erased, but let’s also not forget that men might be better at giving birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every corner of the CDC is up to date on this, despite energetic efforts. An August 24, 2021 page<\/a> doesn’t mention using “birthing person”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n