On October 1, 2024, an article in The Nation’s economy section discussed the impact of abortion bans on women, their families, and societal structures. The article underscored that these bans not only harm individuals but also fail to achieve the conservative goals of reverting to traditional family dynamics.
The piece referenced comments made by Senator JD Vance in 2021 about “childless cat ladies” lacking a direct stake in the country, using political figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples. His remarks sparked backlash, highlighting the perceived value of child-free individuals in various sectors. Critics pointed out that Vance’s comments targeted specific demographics—women, people of color, and the LGBT community—that are gaining significant political influence.
Conservative efforts aim to increase birth rates through measures like abortion bans and restrictions on contraception, attempting to push women out of civic life before they can help build supportive family infrastructures. Despite these efforts, recent data from the University of Houston’s Institute for Research on Women, Gender, and Sexuality shows that fertility rates have decreased in all states, even those with strict abortion bans.
Several factors contribute to declining birth rates in these states. While some residents still obtain abortions legally through travel or other means, there has been increased vigilance around contraception. The number of young women opting for sterilization has risen, and more individuals are forming LGBT relationships, inherently reducing the likelihood of unplanned pregnancies. Additionally, concerns about health risks in states with restricted medical care lead some couples to forgo starting families, impacting the overall fertility rate.
The article noted the negative repercussions of such bans, including instances where pregnant women have died due to lack of care in ban states. Forced low fertility through bans aims to sustain a patriarchal society and perpetuate an economy dependent on low-wage labor, but it’s not producing the intended increase in birth rates.
On the contrary, constructing a family-support infrastructure could allow couples to balance careers and family life better. Potential components of this infrastructure include universal childcare, paid family leave, and public after-school and summer care programs. Advancing such measures could stabilize the fertility rate if society decides to prioritize higher birth rates. The impact of women delaying motherhood, thanks to reliable contraception and abortion access, has been significant in expanding women’s participation in the workforce and government roles, contributing to near-complete democracy and greater representation for historically marginalized groups.
The article emphasized that access to childcare remains a critical factor. Use of birth control to delay childbirth has allowed many women to advance in their careers until they can afford childcare themselves. Progress in creating a support infrastructure has been notable, largely due to women in policymaking positions who have shared similar experiences of delaying childbirth.
Senator Vance’s opposition to such progress reflects conservative attempts to exclude those who delayed procreation from policymaking roles, arguing instead for family-based childcare solutions. This perspective rejects the idea of a universal childcare system and aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which advocates for traditional family structures and seeks to eliminate legislative protections for gender equity, diversity, and reproductive rights.
The article concluded that, without supportive legal and social infrastructure, pushing women into early childbirth through restrictive policies would curtail their educational and career advancements. Constructing a care economy, supported by leaders like Harris, Buttigieg, and Ocasio-Cortez who advocate for family support systems, is crucial for enabling families of all backgrounds to thrive. The real solution lies in developing a society that values and supports all families, driven by leaders committed to equity and democracy.
