The Ladybug

Tag: Women’s Rights

  • I Will Not Shrink Myself for Anyone: A Woman’s Perspective!

    Hello Readers!  I am disturbed by a trend that has been gaining momentum in American society that encourages women to shrink themselves both physically and in their roles as participants in this country. I see these ideas as problems, and I would like to address both types of shrinking behavior that is encouraged.

    First, my body has been on an incredible journey this past year. I will thank her for surviving by not starving myself.  I have been sick, stressed, sleep deprived, and pushed hard mentally, and somehow my body kept going.  There has been A Lot going on in my life!  I am disturbed to see that thinness ideals, body shaming messages, access to birth control methods, and identities other than heterosexual cis-gender persons are all under attack now, or should I say again?!  Why can society not accept the beauty in differences?!  I want to be free to have a curvy figure with a “fat” booty and “thunder” thighs.  Not to mention that my sex life is no one’s business.  You may ask why I am being so defensive? 

    I will be completely honest: I believe that the current political atmosphere is an attack on women, and is attempting to shrink their roles in public life.  JD Vance (our vice president) has bragged about having his wife pregnant and “barefoot in the kitchen.”  Donald Trump (our president for a second term) has multiple sexual harassment cases filed in court against him, and is a suspected pedophile.  The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and Republicans in charge have defunded Planned Parenthood.  Not only can I no longer safely access abortion in most states, I now have limited access to other female reproductive care such as the birth control pill.  Now, even a woman’s right to vote is being questioned once again by conservative politicians.  In addition, childcare services, such as daycare subsidies, have been cut by the current administration.  AND, SkinnyTok is making a comeback online.  Need I say more?? 

         Okay, I will!  I have begun reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, and I suggest that you read it for a dose of current reality.  A world dominated by men, with women only valued for being fertile and compliant, is where we are headed.  I am afraid that in the fascist regime of our government that has taken over the once blissful days of democracy in the USA, women are being expected to shrink.  And the ones who think they have power, such as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, will wake up to see they are completely disposable if the men who truly hold power want them gone.  She has begun to get her boss Trump bad press through the endless defense of murders by ICE of innocent American citizens.  I do not feel sorry for her; all I can say is good luck on your job search Nazi Barbie!   

    You may have seen at this point that I am a “mad woman ” as Taylor Swift would sing on her Grammy winning album “Folklore.”  However, I encourage all my female readers to get mad, because our rights and freedoms are being taken away.  It may be obvious in some ways, but a lot of it is a steady sneaky campaign by the current administration to tame opinionated women such as myself.  So, this is my warning: resist!  Resisting must always be peaceful, but use your unique talents to make it effective!!  My way of resisting is to write.  In addition, I persist in prayer.  God is not indifferent to our struggles.  Active prayer is a powerful, yet peaceful, weapon.  I believe in a Higher Power who cares about our struggles, hears our petitions, and comes to our aid.  Please listen to my advice ladies: Do Not Shrink!!!  We will prevail in body, mind, spirit, and action!  Women must stand and not disappear!

    In Power and Peaceful Resistance, G.

  • Laws Off My Body!

    Today on The Ladybug, I want to talk about another controversial topic: Sex and birth control.  As a 38-year-old woman, I have decided not to have children.  I feel confident, happy, and secure in my resolve to not be a mother.  My life is about many joys and goals, but being a parent is not one of them.  This decision was not made because I hate children, but instead, simply because I know myself well, and I know that motherhood is not for me.  Being a mother is an important and glorious role, but one that I have never aspired to achieve.  With that said, I deeply respect my friends who are mothers, and I have a loving and wonderful relationship with my own Mom.  Being child-free is a personal decision, and I am convinced that it is the most appropriate path for my life. 

                Now, the big question: Can I have sex just for the enjoyment if my intention is never to have a child?  For those of you who are not religious, this may seem like a silly question.  However, I bring this topic up for discussion because of the rise in the USA in popularity and political power of conservative Christians.  You may also know them as Christian Nationalists.  Many conservative Christians are of the belief that sex should only be for the creation of children.  Therefore, following their logic, any form of birth control should be outlawed.  Women should not have the power over their own bodies to say, “Yes, I want sex.  And, no, I do not want kids.”  Am I out of line in assuming that this is the belief that is threatening me?  I think not.  Birth control pills are called, “abortion pills,” by some conservative believers.  The problem develops when Christians become powerful in the government, and begin to make their religious preferences law. 

                If you believe that I am over-reacting, then may I remind you that Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, and that abortions are now no longer protected by the Constitution.  In many states where Christian Nationalists have gained positions in government, abortion is becoming illegal again.  Birth control is the next target.  I am here to say, “Laws off my body!  This is my decision!”  Let me be very clear: I believe that every woman has the right to decide how to express her own sexuality and for what purpose.  If I want to have an active sex life, while not having children, then that is my call.  Stay away from my birth control options.  This includes the full spectrum of birth control, such as IUD’s, the pill, the shot, and, yes, abortion.  The right is mine.  The decision should not be taken away from me because a conservative Christian in congress wants his wife, “barefoot and pregnant.”  If you think this is not happening, then you would be wrong.  For example, Elon Musk has a large brood of children with many different women.  His belief is that women are for baby making, and re-populating the white race, which supports his wrong white-supremacist thinking. 

                I am currently reading Margaret Atwood’s controversial novel The Handmaid’s Tale.  I believe that if women do not raise their voices and take a stand, we will soon find ourselves strictly controlled by the patriarchy.  In the novel, handmaids are for one purpose: to have children.  In addition, bearing children is seen as the only reason for women’s existence.  While reading, I feel suffocated and suppressed, just like the women in the book.  They have no voice and no choices.  Let me be clear that in 2025, women still have choices.  But those choices are fading quickly while we watch our reproductive rights disappear.  Let our voices not be silent now.  There are organizations such as The Women’s March and Planned Parenthood Action which take a stand and fight for the rights of all females in this country.  It is time to take to the streets in protest.  Do not let what you can do with your body be dictated by a man.  I saw a great meme online about The Handmaid’s Tale, and it said that the book is meant to be fiction, not an instruction manual for men to suppress women.  I could not agree more! 

                I do not want to see a dystopian future for women in the USA.  We need freedom and equality.  We need to speak now!  Do not let men in power, such as Trump or Musk, dictate our lives.  I am legitimately terrified that bans on abortion and birth control are just the beginning.  And this woman, will not conform.  Instead, I will resist.  I am inspired by many greats that have gone before me, such as the notorious RBG.  Let us not forget her legacy of dissent.  Let us make her proud!  My body, my choice.  I encourage every woman reading this to evaluate the meaning of choice to you, and to decide that it is worth fighting for. 

                With Resistance, G.

    PS I have linked The Women’s March and Planned Parenthood Action Below.  Check them out!  In addition, feel free to share resources of your own in the comments.  Thank you!

    Women’s March – Our Feminist Future – Women’s March

    Planned Parenthood Action Fund