It’s astonishing how much our society is fixated on controlling women’s bodies. Take, for example, the current political landscape where a leader campaigned on the promise of appointing Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, garnering the support of 27% of the population. The Guttmacher Institute revealed that state policies restricting abortions surpassed those designed to protect them. This indicates a significant number of individuals—especially white men—who are determined to strip women of their right to choose, seemingly indifferent to the consequences for those they are oppressing.
As we continue to enforce strict reproductive policies, I propose an alternative. Instead of obsessing over women’s autonomy, we should redirect our focus towards supporting the mothers and children who are already facing immense challenges in our society. The reality is that we are overlooking a hidden health crisis driven by a lack of support for mothers, particularly those under 21.
Research has consistently shown that young mothers are more likely to experience depression during pregnancy and in the early stages of parenthood compared to older mothers and their non-pregnant counterparts. Various factors contribute to this struggle, including poverty, limited education, inadequate social support, and experiences of childhood abuse. These hurdles often prevent them from accessing the critical care they need, which only intensifies the isolation associated with maternal mental health issues. In fact, a study from California indicates that suicide ranks among the leading causes of death for new mothers.
Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that nearly two-thirds of young mothers in Canada reported experiencing at least one mental health issue, with almost 40% indicating they faced multiple problems. These young women are also 2-4 times more likely than older mothers to suffer from anxiety disorders, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder.
The issue extends beyond young mothers, as globally, up to 20% of women encounter some form of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder during motherhood. This means that as many as one in five mothers worldwide will experience conditions like postpartum depression or anxiety, yet 70% of these women hide or downplay their symptoms due to societal stigma and a lack of support. Additionally, systemic racism and insufficient care contribute to black mothers facing a maternal mortality rate that is three times higher than that of white women. The societal pressures on all new mothers, particularly the nine million who are single, further exacerbate these challenges.
While I could elaborate on the myriad obstacles women face in our country, it’s disheartening to confront these realities. Why is the evidence surrounding maternal mental health struggles not as compelling as the belief that women should be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies? If we cannot adequately care for the mothers who bring our future generations into the world, why should we pressure women to become mothers in the first place? We live in a society inundated with aggressive pro-life politicians eager to strip away reproductive rights, yet once women choose to continue a pregnancy, they are met with repeated failures from the system.
This situation is profoundly unjust. If we are not prepared to make motherhood a positive experience in our society, then we must cease pressuring women to bear children against their will. Women deserve autonomy over their bodies, whether they choose to have children or not. They should receive the necessary support to not only survive but truly thrive in motherhood. Every mother, irrespective of her race, identity, socioeconomic status, or age, deserves comprehensive, accessible, and supportive maternal healthcare. It’s high time we dismantle the damaging secrecy surrounding mental health struggles faced by mothers everywhere. For more information on this topic, check out other insightful articles at Home Insemination Kit.
In summary, the mental health struggles of young mothers are exacerbated by societal pressures, systemic failures, and a lack of support. It’s crucial to prioritize the well-being of mothers and create an environment where they can thrive, rather than one that forces them into unwanted motherhood.