Using the term “pregnant people” has been created to be more open towards all different genders who hope to carry and care for their own infants. While some whole heartily agree with this movement, others argue it denounces and belittles mothers. As one can imagine, this topic of discussion has started an uproar in our democracy.
“Pregnant people,” is now completely political, due to the fact there is truly no middle ground. The split in our country leaves no room for agreement or terms of settling on a response. Fortunately, there are many resources and outlets that inform the readers, leading them to make an educated decision on whether or not they agree with this new phrase.
An article published by, Slate “How to Think About The Debate Over The Phrase,”Pregnant people” written by Shannon Palus, has many key components to consider when debating on where you stand. For starters, Shannon Palus quotes Evan Urquhart who states, “I think we really need to dispense with the idea that trans activists, or, literally, anyone else in the world, wants women to stop referring to themselves as women. Women should be calling themselves women, they should be calling themselves mothers, they should be using any language that is comfortable for them.” This statement is truly unbiased, Urquhart is simply stating there should be no issue on what an ind
ividual wants to be referred to, as for the fact it really does not affect anyone else.
Moreover, an article posted by TCC, I work In HealthCare. Can I Call Patients ‘Pregnant People’?, Written by Shane Morris, has a completely different take on this controversy. Morris works in maternity and child health. Morris creates a more forward, harsh debate, as she states,
“There are no “pregnant people” who aren’t also women” (Morris.) From this perspective, it is uncomfortable to try to go against science and human anatomy. At the end of the day, there is really no question as to how many genders there are. Since human existence, there are only males and females, who have sex, the women becomes pregnant and carries the child to term.
Furthermore, Morris explains how lies evidently causes harm to those being lied to, “Neither does this lie love, help, or serve her unborn child, who needs a mother, not a generic, genderless birthing “person.” Finally, fellow scientists and healthcare providers aren’t loved, helped, or served by peers normalizing vague language that obscures vital facts about their professions and their patients” (Morris.)
Regardless of where you stand politically, what religion you believe, or if you even care whatsoever what we refer to as someone who is pregnant, it is overall dangerous and ignorant to think we can fight against science.
Following, articles can only be so personal, so I decided to ask my mom her opinion on this topic. My mom, Meghan, is a mother of four daughters. Overall my mom is a very laid back, truly opinionated person in regards to topics that do not affect my family and herself.
Nonetheless, I went about and questioned “Pregnant people” and what that meant to her. When I asked her how she felt about this new phrase, she expressed passion, as she stated, “That is offensive to me as a woman, women get pregnant and women give birth.
Considering getting pregnant and giving birth is the most essential act to keep the human race going, do people really feel the need to strip that away from being attributed to women?” Without getting into politics or hurting others who may disagree, my mom has clearly stated critical facts as to how she feels, as a mother herself about “Pregnant people”.
Ultimately, in spite of what you personally believe is the right response to the question, “Should we use the phrase “pregnant people” in order to include all different people who want to carry a baby?” Discrediting the women who we all owe our lives to, is taking all these new, “inclusive” terms to the extreme. In my opinion, if someone directly tells me “I would like to be referred to as a pregnant person,” I would willingly accept and do exactly that, because the goal is to never disrespect or hurt others. On the contrary, I am not going to completely reject the phrase “pregnant women” and demolish all the respect I have for those females who decide to bring new lives into the world.
Work Cited Page
Morris, Shane. “I Work in Healthcare. Can I Call Patients “Pregnant People”?” The Gospel Coalition, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/patients-pregnant-people/
Palus, Shannon. “How to Think about the Debate over the Phrase “Pregnant People.”” Slate, 9 July 2022, https://slate.com/technology/2022/07/pregnant-people-inclusive-language-gender-debate.html