Why Have Women's Health Issues Become a Leading Issue in This Election?

As a young woman living in America I support the protection of women's bodies and the coverage of birth control under healthcare; but why exactly is women's health one of the leading issues in this 2012 election? Does anyone truly believe that if Romney/Ryan win the presidential election one of their first moves in the Oval Office is going to be addressing the controversial topic of women's health? If they did, would the bills even make it past legislation?

We are a nation with a massive economic deficit, people still facing unemployment and are currently at war -- I would hope this issue would not be at the top of their agenda. The amount of press and attention given to the woman question right now is somewhat boggling when the main spotlight should be on what exactly each candidate is going to give our nation in regards to bigger issues such as the economy, foreign affairs, and the environment. Do not get me wrong, gender equality is a very important issue. I advocate for women's rights around the world, where many women face oppression and denial of basic rights; that is not the same as the women's health issues of abortion and birth control that are being showcased as prominent issues in this coming election. The American women's issues as a problem within gender equality in comparison to the rest of the women around the world -- who are being sold into sex trafficking and are unable to seek legal refuge from abusive husbands -- is somewhat inane.

The Center for American Women and Politics claims that women seem to either match men in voter turnout or exceed them. The reason women's issues are becoming such a big debate in this election is not because it is one of the most important issues, but rather because the candidates are trying to grab the attention of the gender that votes more. What better way to get women to vote in your favor than to bring the issue specific to them into the spotlight and speak to them, not simply because they are an American citizen, but also because they are a woman, compelling them to vote a specific way simply because of their gender. I would like to see this election take a turn away from that issue and address things that affect the direction of our nation as a whole, rather than distracting voters with stark controversial topics. Trying to scare women into believing that by voting one way may take away their right over their bodies is ridiculous. There is so much resistance to ideas such as banning abortion and birth control under health care that bills instituting them would be very hard to get passed.

Affording birth control and health care in general, is a problem, a problem directly related to the poor economy and unemployment. Fixing the economy would essentially lead to the resolution of women struggling to afford birth control and health care. Candidates for this upcoming presidential election need to truly focus on the issues, the issues that matter to the nation as a whole and it's role within the greater world.

 

Comments

[mtm428]

10:41 AM on 10/28/2012

I think the author lost sight of how these issues came to the forefront of the election in the first place; the women's issues that were discussed by the candidates during the Republican Presidential Primaries, Mr. Romney's discussion of eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood, proposed state laws and amendments that interfere with a woman's personal decision about her healthcare, etc.

It's important to remember that women's issues DO effect their economic stability and that of their families.

This young lady has always lived with the women's rights that many fought so hard for a long time ago, so her comments are based on her experiences in a more progressive world than many of us or our mother's lived through.

I think ultimately when women's rights are threatened, women will make their voices heard, will vote with their values and take action in the community, but it's not something we should ever take for granted.

[Dminkel]

02:54 PM on 09/12/2012

Your information about women"health is inaccturate. The GOP is right now Stopping women from receiving health care. How many states are closing the doors to Planned Parenthood? Poor women do not have the luxury of private care. Women without health insurance do not see doctors. I completely disagree with the authors assement of women in this article. It is the GOP who started this war and yes they will pay at the ballot for it. Why should our government force on women unnecessary medical procedures? Yes it is about womens bodies and it is not for Men to decide how we take care of yourselves. The GOP screams less government until they start talking about women and then it is more laws to not allow women to make their own choices.

[rlj13]

01:34 PM on 09/12/2012

I respectfully disagree with the idea that women cannot lose basic rights to abortion during the next 4 years because of "too much public resistance." If that's the case, how is it already basically illegal in so many states? Romney might well have the chance to choose 1-3 of the next supreme court justices, and what exactly do you think will happen then? As for sex trafficking in other countries, it may be selfish, but their own leaders should worry about them. Let my leaders work to fight for my rights.

[Katrin55]

08:58 AM on 09/12/2012

Casey, you have high hopes and a belief that women's gains can't or won't be walked back, but remember the ERA? Why couldn't that pass? The GOP has set women's health and reproductive issues as a front and center part of their platform; it is this party's goal to ban abortion (or at least make it nearly impossible to maintain), reduce the penalties for commiting violence against women, make contraception difficult to obtain, and so on. Did you know that in 31 states a woman's rapist can sue to obtain visitation rights if his victim carries the pregnancy to term? Why do they want to do this? Power, plain and simple. Make no mistake -- this year's election is a HUGE one for women's physical, emotional, and economic health.