Editorial

Stop Asking If I Want To Have Children

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As a young woman in my twenties, I’ve come to expect to field questions about my prospective future. Most people inquire about my hopes for a career, marriage and of course children. I’ve never minded being asked if I want a family.

In recent times however, this sentiment has begun to change. I love children and I firmly believe they must be protected.

But how can I protect my future child before I even have the opportunity?

Within the context of my childhood, will the state allow me to become a parent?

These are the questions brought forth to my mind having seen the recent ACLU lawsuit against DCF, Lund and Copley Hospital.

A young woman had her child unjustly placed in foster care, having been monitored by the government without her knowledge or consent, during which her healthcare provider gave them access to her medical information.

As a former patient at Copley’s Women Center, I feel incredibly unsafe knowing these practices are taking place unbeknownst to patients.

How can other women in our surrounding communities feel secure seeking reproductive healthcare of any kind when our personal and sensitive information is at risk of being handed to the government?

While I used to look forward to starting a family, I no longer feel secure in my options.

At every turn, it seems there is another roadblock for young women like me to have true reproductive agency.

I live in Vermont, a state that has codified reproductive rights in its constitution, yet I feel no more secure in my ability to safely have a family because of that.

How can I protect my child if I don’t know if, or when, I’m being monitored by a state agency like DCF? Moreover, what gives DCF the right to monitor me without my knowledge or consent?

How could I, or anyone, become an adequate parent in the eyes of DCF, when we’re ignorant of the criteria we’re being evaluated against, or even their existence.

I can’t believe I have to ask myself these questions before I can begin to plan a family.

So please, stop asking me if I want to have children. Because I do, but at this point the reality before me dictates otherwise.

Raymonda Parchment, reporter

Raymobda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.

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The Hardwick Gazette

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EDITOR
Paul Fixx

ADVERTISING
Sandy Atkins, Raymonda Parchment, Dawn Gustafson, Paul Fixx

CIRCULATION
Dawn Gustafson

PRODUCTION
Sandy Atkins, Dawn Gustafson, Dave Mitchell, Raymonda Parchment

REPORTER
Raymonda Parchment

SPORTS WRITERS
Ken Brown
Eric Hanson

WEATHER REPORTER
Tyler Molleur

PHOTOGRAPHER
Vanessa Fournier

CARTOONIST
Julie Atwood

CONTRIBUTORS
Trish Alley, Sandy Atkins, Brendan Buckley, Elizabeth Dow, Hal Gray, Abrah Griggs, Henry Homeyer, Pat Hussey, Willem Lange, Cheryl Luther Michaels, Tyler Molleur, Kay Spaulding, Liz Steel, John Walters

INTERNS
Megan Cane, Brigitte Offord