O Pinions!

Mansplaining: You do not own your body.

"Who owns my body?

I do."

So said a female in 2020.

A man explains:

No you don't.

Your country owns your body.

         We have been faced with many wars. In the USA we love war. Once there was an involuntary Draft for men. And as a woman we needed you to produce sacrificial soldiers. We still do. We own you and your baby.

Your church owns your body.

         If you leave or try to leave then you will be shunned. Stoning is frowned upon these days but we can get around that. In small towns where church members own everything, where you gonna go? Those do-gooders aren't speaking to you. Government agencies are run by church members... The unchurched? We run them out of town.

Your community owns your body.

         They tell you what to wear and when. Men take pride in showing off their ____; but, no bouncing boobies allowed! They tell you where to go, what jobs they will give you. You have to prove yourself in ways that a man doesn't. Jobs are reserved for sons over daughters. And if they don't approve of your family... their sins are your sins... and your children's sins.

Your parents own your body.

         Literally. Legally and/or morally parents have a responsibility to support and protect children. But when they don't, or dump you as soon as they can... around age 16... who cares? Or when they decide that you have no individual rights to express yourself, or that you can't leave... age 20, 30, 40...?

Your family owns your body.

         Literally. They reserve the right to kill you. "Honor killings" in Pakistan make the news but family fights... oops you're dead... are a daily occurrence (they just don't get the headlines or outrage reserved for groups we love to hate). Running away is often illegal.

Your brother owns your body.

         Any male will do. "It's for your protection." Ask the Saudis. Or Hollywood circa 1950. Or just ask friends about how protective brothers can be. You will hear stories of "heroes" but you may hear the other not-so-heroic-stories if you listen closely (and if they dare share). Cock-blocking is real.

Your husband owns your body.

         Of course you're married! Lesbians just haven't found the right man. You either can't divorce or if you do you have no ability to live on your own. No, you can't always go back to family. Some pedantic will point out that divorce is legal... but you will find out that the legal system can't stop him from killing you.

So, no. You do not own your body. But in some cultures you have more control over it and better options.

Americans aren't allowed to know that.

~455 words
posted in "Blogville " 

804