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Dignity in contraception

Letter to the Editor

Published: Thursday, February 2, 2012

Updated: Thursday, February 2, 2012 22:02

I am writing in response to "Contraception and Dignity," published on Jan. 31. Although I understand and sympathize with the Catholic Church's stance on contraception, I found this article offensive. The argument put forth by Notre Dame Right to Life, that women who use contraception lack "dignity," is both narrow-minded and dangerous.

Notre Dame Right to Life should not have to resort to name-calling to make its stance clear on the subject of contraception, and should not expect to be able to publish such a Letter to the Editor without backlash. Notre Dame is an artificial safe haven for such rhetoric; this language would not be tolerated outside of Notre Dame's campus. People throughout the United States and across the globe use condoms and contraception to protect themselves and their loved ones in a variety of difficult circumstances that include, but are not limited to: protecting against consequences of domestic violence and rape, preventing the spread of HIV and other STDs and ensuring that they can feed the children that they already have. These people are not undignified. In fact, they are actively taking steps to improve their situation with bravery and dignity.

The Catholic Church and Notre Dame Right to Life may oppose the use of family planning techniques, but such a general condemnation of the characters of the men and women who choose to use contraception is inappropriately judgmental. Notre Dame students should not tolerate this kind of broad rhetoric in further discussions about contraception.

Emily Bieniek

junior

off-campus

Feb. 2

Joel Moore

junior

St. Edward's Hall

Feb. 2

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4 comments

Anonymous
Fri Feb 3 2012 22:36
The problem in telling women to simply go somewhere else to get healthcare is that many women (especially students with limited incomes) can't afford to go somewhere else. So, instead of getting the medical attention that they need, they are forced to go without. In many cases, the lack of birth control leads to unbearable pain, serious loss of blood, infertility, etc. It is unconscionable to put women in that position.

Also, suggesting that people who don't agree with every one of the Catholic Church's teaching should beware of coming to Notre Dame is downright silly. The diversity of ideas on this campus enriches our student body and our academic atmosphere. How can anyone learn if they have only been exposed to the ideas that already agree with? Moreover, historically, listening to the voice of the dissenter has often led to important social reforms (integration, child labor laws, etc.) and suggesting that dissenters shouldn't be welcome on this campus is pointless nonsense.

Rather than digging their heels in, perhaps Catholic Universities and individuals alike should take this as an opportunity to re-evaluate the state of women's healthcare and women's rights worldwide.

Anonymous
Fri Feb 3 2012 16:16
If you don't agree with what the Catholic Church teaches, perhaps consider going to a non-Catholic university. Or just not getting your healthcare from that university.
Anonymous
Fri Feb 3 2012 02:30
This issue is not about ND paying for birth control. It's about the availability of birth control in university health care services and health care plans. And it's more than about just disagreeing with a teaching. We're talking about something with real world implications and serious consequences for women. To say "you disagree with what the church says, that's too bad" is a dangerous position to take and ignores the real issue at hand as well as what is at stake in denying women their right to birth control.
Anonymous
Thu Feb 2 2012 23:09
Sure, we all feel that our actions are great. I mean, even when we lost at soccer, we still got a trophy.

Look, all the previous letter did was discuss church teaching.

If you disagree with that teaching, fine. ND doesn't have to pay for your birth control.







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