Your thoughts on this quote about pregnancy and empowerment

Question

"Giving birth empowers women. Before they feel they need to prove themselves through work, dating or keeping a good home but once they give birth they realize how truly powerful they are because they can bring life into the world."

The author is unknown as of now.

Answer 1

Wow, what a comfort to all those childless women out there.

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

Personally, I think its beautiful and true..! But only for the women who are ready (or wanting) to go that route.

However, I also think that children should be seen as an 'addition' or enhancement to one's life and NOT used (or created) just to give you a sense of self-worth or importance or empowerment. So many girls now think that having a baby is the ultimate happiness and once they have a child, they no longer have to make themselves happy in other areas of their lives.

Babies are gifts, not a way to fill the void that we refuse to fill ourselves.

Answer 3

I agree with the first answer.  Nice.

Answer 4

Yeah, in this case I have to agree with the above author.  Too many women have to spend their lives because repeated attempts at IVF haven't worked and suffer.  These women are the victims of this "empowerment" business.  There's really nothing more delightful than bringing a child into this world, but to equate this with empowerment is terribly disrespectful to those women who wish to have children by natural or artificial insemination but simply cannot, physiologically.  For these women, I can't endorse or support such a quote because it just adds insult to horrific injury.

Answer 5

I strongly disagree with that quote. I don't believe that giving birth is a form of power. It is a special experience, that we as women are blessed to go through. But it is not a way to "prove" yourself. And why is working, dating, or keeping a good home considered a way for a woman to "prove" herself either? If a woman truly believes she is obviously lacking something in her life.  

Answer 6

I respect mothers and pregnant women, but I don't think that giving birth is the "end all be all" of womanhood. Every living organism can reproduce, the ability to reproduce is one of the characteristics that distinguishes a living vs. nonliving entity in the principles of biology. I am 22 and childless, I don't think having 3 kids and a baby on my way would put me in a position of optimal empowerment right now.  

Answer 7

I don't agree. I adore my daughter to pieces, but it was through basic biology that I had her. When she's grown and well-adjusted and happy, THEN I will feel an accomplishment in having raised her well.

But I definitely don't think it's the only method via which a woman can show her accomplishments or her personal power.

Answer 8

I'd rather prove myself through work, thank you very much. The world will go on without my genes.

Answer 9

Doesn't hold true for me, I was more empowered by being able to start a business than I was by giving birth.

But that's just my personal feelings on it, results may vary.

Answer 10

I kinda agree with that. It really is an amazing feat that women can do and I'd love to be able to do that someday. It doesn't mean that women are only good for giving birth and having children but I believe raising children is one of the greatest things that one can do with their life.

Answer 11

Tracey is right.  Being pregnant and giving birth is something that happens.  Raising those children is the hard part.   I loved having my children, and spent lots of years caring for others babies, so I know they are wonderful.  But I can't say either option was the most empowering.  I think they were all part of a fulfilling life.    

Answer 12

I really do not agree with the quote.  For me, having a baby is fantastic, spiritual, mystical experience that I could never quite put into words.  I felt a lot of things, but not empowered and I still wanted to do other things with my life.

But not every woman wants to be a mom, for any number of reasons that are hers alone.  I respect that decision and feel it is their right to make it.

Answer 13

This is more geared towards women... but I like to p**s people off with my views, so naturally I'll chime in ;).

I don't agree with it. In this age of global overpopulation, we can no longer but a woman's sole accomplishment and power on pregnancy. It has been proven that the two sexes are equals in terms of mental ability, and that alone means that women can be equal to men in most things... as such, they should be given the full ability to prove themselves, without any advantages or disadvantages.

You're obviously making the claim that women should be homemakers because they feel empowered to raise children. That works fine for some, but the others should be given a change to prove themselves in other ways.

Answer 14

I guess it might be empowering for those women who have nothing else in their lives.