Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

musette_sf

(10,331 posts)
Sat Apr 6, 2024, 02:14 PM Apr 2024

Gestational Slavery and Human Trafficking WaPo Puff Piece

One of the most horrifying reads on the depraved, sociopathic attacks on reproductive justice in America, framed as a feel-good puff piece in the WaPo. And the editorial cowards left comments open for only hours. Reprehensible.

https://wapo.st/3TQctXU

(Gifted article, no paywall)

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Gestational Slavery and Human Trafficking WaPo Puff Piece (Original Post) musette_sf Apr 2024 OP
Human trafficking? ShazzieB Apr 2024 #1
Gladney has been in the human trafficking business musette_sf Apr 2024 #2
I really don't think that was the same thing. ShazzieB Apr 2024 #3
Agree. Kath2 Apr 2024 #4
Not a stupid belief at all! ShazzieB Apr 2024 #5

ShazzieB

(18,925 posts)
1. Human trafficking?
Sat Apr 6, 2024, 09:01 PM
Apr 2024

I don't understand why you would describe the article this way. That led me to expect something completely different.

Whatever else one may think of this story, there is no human trafficking in it.

musette_sf

(10,331 posts)
2. Gladney has been in the human trafficking business
Sat Apr 6, 2024, 10:15 PM
Apr 2024

for many years. They ran a network of maternity jails during the tragic Baby Scoop Era.

ShazzieB

(18,925 posts)
3. I really don't think that was the same thing.
Sun Apr 7, 2024, 12:22 AM
Apr 2024

The term "human trafficking" has a very specific meaning, and I don't think it applies to what went on during the era you're talking about.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, "Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act."
https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking.

What went on during the Baby Scoop Era, sad as it was, was quite different. There was an attitude at the time (post WWII into the early 70s) that the only "solution" to an unwanted pregnancy (assuming marriage was not an option) was to have the baby, give it up for adoption, and go on with one's life as if it never happened. The stigma of being an unwed mother was so great that many pregnant girls and their parents didn't really see any other option.

Of course it was cruel and traumatic, but those homes were not run primarily for the purpose of making money, and no one was kidnapping girls and forcing them to produce babies for profit.

What happened to those young pregnant women was sad and awful and traumatic, but it was not human trafficking as the term is customarily used and understood.

In any case, the story in this article did not happen during the "baby scoop" era, and no coercion was involved. When Evelyn was unable to successfully have an abortion, she chose adoption herself. It wasn't her first choice, but it was the choice she made from the options that remained to her at that point.

Imo, describing this article as being about human trafficking is inaccurate and misleading. I believe in using words according to their generally accepted meaning, and I do not believe that is the case here.

Kath2

(3,147 posts)
4. Agree.
Sun Apr 7, 2024, 09:47 PM
Apr 2024

The article had little to do with "human trafficking." I simply, and maybe stupidly, believe that women deserve rights over their own bodies.

ShazzieB

(18,925 posts)
5. Not a stupid belief at all!
Sun Apr 7, 2024, 11:56 PM
Apr 2024

If only it weren't so difficult to convince some people of that.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Pro-Choice»Gestational Slavery and H...