Feminism and natural family planning? Can those two words be joined in one sentence? It seems an unholy pairing. The stereotype of the bra-burner who eschews men does battle with the stereotype of the rejecter of the "pill" who also --- gasp --- may belong to a sexist, hierarchical religious organization. Not a pretty picture.
But, does it have to be a battle?
Consider this. When I typed "Feminism and Natural Family Planning" into a search engine, I received more links than I could happily read. It seems a movement is underfoot.
Granted that not every woman (or man) who practices nfp will want to align herself with feminism, but for those of us who believe that oppression is real and who want a better world for our daughters (and sons), it is encouraging to know that it just may be possible to be a good feminist and a good practitioner of nfp.
Consider some of the arguments for why practicing nfp may be a feminist undertaking.
*NFP represents an alternative to the male domination of medicine, especially reproductive medicine.* "While artificial contraception is developed in labs and marketed from boardrooms, two male dominated bastions, NFP was developed by couples. It is counter cultural by definition." ("Natural Family Planning and Feminism" by G. Heath, R.N. See links at right under "Feminism and NFP" for all sources.)
*NFP requires both partners to respect the female's fertility and to maintain open, loving communication.* "NFP is the most equalitarian (sic) of the [contraceptive] methods since both partners have to agree to take responsibility." ("Natural Family Planning and Feminism" by G. Heath, R.N.)
*NFP preserves the health of the woman and rejects the sometimes racist and sexist history of artificial contraception that has been tested and forced upon poor women and women of color without regard for their safety and health. This frightening history includes forced sterilization and employer sanctions worldwide, much of it underwritten by Western "aid" dollars.* "The World Bank has explicitly indicated that population control is more important than reproductive freedom. . . . The extensive nature of this danger under current conditions worldwide should cause alarm among feminists and other human rights advocates." ("The Greatest Modern Threat to Genuine Reproductive Freedom" by Elizabeth Liagin)
*NFP works with natural cycles and is suspicious of the drive to "control" nature. Ecofeminists, who link the oppression of the earth and the oppression of women, give three cheers to this one.* "The 'drive to dominate and control' has typically been seen as a mark of manhood, and the threat it poses is far from new. For women, children, and other living things, it has always been dangerous." ("Feminism and Ecology: A Matter of Survival" by Helen Forsey)
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