In today’s entry, I will be unashamedly getting up on my soapbox and expressing political opinion. You have been warned!
If you’ve been following Spanish politics recently, you’ll know that president Rajoy has recently brought in a controversial new abortion law, which restricts women’s ability to be granted an abortion. I won’t pass comment, but you can read more about the new abortion law here.
Rights v. Responsibility
With right comes responsibility, and the burden of responsibility of the “right to life” enforced by this law will doubtlessly be shouldered in disproportionate part by women (let’s face it, it takes two – as well as a lack of proper information about sex education, failing contraception etc. – to make a baby, yet in the majority of cases when just one is left holding it, it’s the woman).
Some of the burden of this responsibility could be taken on by society. If women have the responsibility of enforcing the pro-life choice, don’t they also have a right to increased support to do so?
Sadly, Rajoy doesn’t seem to see it this way. Time was, female freelancers were entitled to not have to pay crippling social security flat payments for a period of twelve months after returning for work. In the latter part of 2012, however, the PP government did away with the discount. You can find more information about this in this (spanish language) article.
Keeping women in the home
What conclusions are we meant to draw from this? If I were a suspicious type, I’d say that the combination of the two factors seems to imply that Rajoy is trying to keep Spanish women in the home. What do you think?
Text and photos by Penelope
Say what you will about Rajoy, but the fact is that it’s a two-way road. I have been freelancing for 20 years and received no maternity leave during the Zapatero administration. And, of course, no 12-month free-ride on my IRPF. And, what ever happened to the promised “cheque bebé”? Never saw that, either. The truth is, if you’re looking for bad guy in Spanish politics, one finger to point will never be enough. Comparatively, is there a good guy?
Hello Karen,
First of all, thanks for writing: what a pleasure to have such an intelligent, informed comment on my article!
In regards to what you say, I must admit that I haven’t been freelancing here for nearly as long as you have. That said, I suppose more than anything else it’s the juxtaposition of the two laws – one which makes it more likely for women to have children, and the other which reduces help for new mothers – that seems to restrict the options that women have and makes me suspect that Rajoy is a closet sexist.
I do completely agree with the sentiment that “The truth is, if you’re looking for bad guy in Spanish politics, one finger to point will never be enough” – however. Seems like we’ll have to start looking for the good guys outside of the politics 😉
Thanks again for writing in!
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess
I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any tips for first-time blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.