When considering the issue of choice in conversations surrounding reproductive rights we must remember that the choice of motherhood is both a choice to have and not have children. While having the ability to prevent and end unwanted pregnancy is important, having the ability to parent with dignity and meet the basic needs of one’s children is equally important. For many mothers of color the ability to have and provide for a family is severely limited by poverty, the need to work, and incarceration.
But despite being disproportionally affected by these issues, mothers of color are often left out of conversations on women’s rights.
Furthermore, it is crucial to invest in the needs of mothers of color today so that we can better support youth of color; more than half of our nation’s children under 1-year-old are children of color, and by 2050 people of color are expected to be the majority.
Amy Navvab looks at the key issues facing mothers of color and explains why conservative attacks on programs such as HeadStart and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would make it even harder for these women to take care of their families.
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