Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Politically Incorrect

When did the term politically correct come to mean polite and non confrontational? The phrase just does not make sense to me. I seem to be politically incorrect quite often be it my eating habits (which don't follow the low-fat ideology but do include lots of healthy produce) or my use of NFP for health and spiritual benefits.

My issue with politics and the expectation to be "politically correct" in terminology and topic choice is that it seems to prevent us from having thought out conversations about the true issues. One issue I have studied a lot is birth control. I studied the history behind the 1920s movement to promote it, the church history of when different denominations allowed it, and the side effects linking it to stroke, breast cancer and more. Unfortunately, it is politically incorrect to bring this topic up - especially if you are against it in most instances (there are medical benefits for some women). Since my husband's family doesn't follow "politically correct conversation topics" a discussion started about why we should hand out free contraceptives. Unlike this topic, I did not let it go.

I argued that this would not be a good use of my tax dollars. Before you think I'm too extreme, I also stated that I don't believe abstinence-only education is effective. I believe teens and young adults should be taught about what is out there - they know it exists! Trying to hide the obvious can come off as close-minded and unenlightened no matter how beautiful you message is. However, when you hand out the pill or condoms for free, you condone and promote behavior that uses that method and people forget there are other ways to act and other successful methods of family planning. I was never taught about NFP in school or church and, even at my small Christian college, the pill was pushed as my only option for my medical complaint. It is saddening that even young people who want another way have trouble finding it.

People barely heard me. I was just told that not everyone is as smart or sensible as me and it is the only way to prevent supporting more people on welfare. How do you compassionately respond to that comment? And if you agree, why do you think it is the only/best solution?

1 comment:

  1. "My issue with politics and the expectation to be "politically correct" in terminology and topic choice is that it seems to prevent us from having thought out conversations about the true issues." Great point!

    Unfortunately, I'm often too chicken to discuss confrontational issues with people in person. (I'm working on it - part of my hope in blogging is that I'll become better able to have these types of discussions!) Good for you for trying to engage them!

    And I don't know if it's a matter of being smart or sensible. Fear is an effective motivator - if a teenage girl is afraid of getting pregnant and can't get her hands on any birth control, won't she naturally be more hesitant to have sex?

    Actually, I should probably give your in-laws' comment more thought, as I myself was guilty of saying something similar to that many years ago (basically just sterilize everybody but the smart people - ouch).

    Also, I'd love to hear more about when different denominations allowed contraception. I know about 1930, and the fact that many people disagreed then, and that's about it.

    ReplyDelete