No woman shall have the legal right to bear a child without a permit for parenthood.
Woman must have her freedom, the fundamental freedom of choosing whether or not she will be a mother and how many children she will have. Regardless of what man's attitude may be, that problem is hers - and before it can be his, it is hers alone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes a woman's right to choose motherhood and control her reproductive choices without external influence.
Margaret Sanger's quote speaks to the essential freedom women should have regarding their reproductive decisions. It advocates for the autonomy of women in choosing whether or not to become mothers and how many children to have, suggesting that these decisions are inherently personal and should not be governed by societal or male expectations. Sanger points out that the responsibility and choice regarding motherhood lie solely with the woman, highlighting the importance of personal agency in reproductive rights.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for women's rights, one might say, 'As Margaret Sanger reminds us, a woman must have her freedom in choosing motherhood.'
More from Margaret Sanger
All quotes →It is apparent that nothing short of contraceptives can put an end to the horrors of abortion and infanticide.
No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.
No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.
No one can doubt that there are times when an abortion is justifiable but they will become unnecessary when care is taken to prevent conception. This is the only cure for abortions.
A mutual and satisfied sexual act is of great benefit to the average woman, the magnetism of it is health giving. When it is not desired on the part of the woman and she has no response, it should not take place. This is an act of prostitution and is degrading to the woman's finer sensibility, all the marriage certificates on earth to the contrary notwithstanding.
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