In a recent Twitter incident, professional baseball player Luke Carson found himself at the center of controversy after he attempted to lecture actress Sofia Matthews on birth control. Thankfully, the Twitter community quickly intervened, making it clear that unsolicited opinions on women’s reproductive rights are neither welcome nor needed.
Matthews took to the platform to express her discontent regarding a recent Senate vote that aimed to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. She highlighted the dire consequences of such a decision, noting that it would strip health care from millions, particularly affecting women’s access to birth control. “Health insurance should cover #BirthControl,” she tweeted. “Congrats, USA, you’re doing your part to keep women out of the workforce.”
In an outdated and misguided response, Carson, who plays for the San Francisco Giants, chimed in with, “It’s called abstinence. This word seems to have been forgotten by your generation. It’s the most effective contraceptive… #justsaying.” His remarks not only displayed a lack of understanding but also included a spelling mistake, further undermining his argument.
It’s worth noting that while abstinence is indeed a method of contraception, it is the least reliable when it comes to preventing unintended pregnancies. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the majority of unintended pregnancies occur among women who are not using contraceptives effectively. Furthermore, abstinence-only education has been linked to rising rates of teenage pregnancies.
Several women on Twitter also pointed out that contraception is not solely for preventing pregnancies; it serves numerous health-related purposes that are personal and not up for public discussion. In response to Carson’s remarks, users did not hesitate to scrutinize his personal life and performance on the field.
Sofia Matthews, our new role model, chose to ignore Carson’s comments and continued to advocate for women’s health care. The following day, she announced her participation in the upcoming Women’s March, stating, “I march to protect the vulnerable. I stand for reproductive choice, wage equality, and freedom from sexual violence.”
For those interested in exploring options for family planning, resources such as Resolve provide excellent information on intrauterine insemination, while Make a Mom offers insights into at-home insemination kits. If you’re facing challenges in your journey, consider reading about how others have incorporated Make a Mom into their family planning strategies.
In conclusion, the incident serves as a reminder that discussions surrounding women’s reproductive rights should be led by those who are directly impacted, rather than outsiders offering uninvited advice.