March 9, 1998-Part 1

?Natural Fertility, Forced Reproduction?

by Paola Tabet

Tabet explores human reproduction and women?s fertility from an anthropological viewpoint to prove that social relations define sexual elements found in nature. She argues that anthropological data can obscure historical information concerning reproduction by blaming the effects of male domination over time. Natural fertility , or unrestricted fertility, as well as controlled fertility, are direct results of the power relationship that exists between men and women in which fertility becomes a characteristic to women alone. The problem, according to Tabet, is that men are excluded from reproduction events all together allowing ambiguities to consume social relations until women become the comodified objects of the masculine inferiority complex.

INTERVENTIONS INTO THE CAPACITY TO REPRODUCE

The first part of Tabet?s piece acknowledges the ways in which fertility directly effects women by citing sexual properties specific to women only. She discusses how marriage controls this random sexual drive by creating an atmosphere for constant exposure to sex and therefore rightful procreation. Unfortunately, women are socialized to think that consenting to intercourse each time a husband requests it is normal practice. However, Tabet efficiently describes examples of wives who were submissive along with their designated punishments.

It is also interesting to consider the methods men have sought out to control female reproduction. Understanding the menstrual cycle creates a window into female genitalia and techniques to manipulate reproductive organs. The IUD, for example, resembles the Zulu practice involving the insertion of pebbles inside the uterine wall. Intervention of reproduction can also occur in forms of population control, as in the case of the Eskimos, as well as wet-nursing, both limit the role of the mother by allowing the ultimate decision to be in the hands of the father. Not only do these examples appear harsh, but they present a situation in which women are denied choices that directly effect their own bodies.

THE DOMESTICATION OF WOMEN?S SEXUALITY

In this passage, Tabet deciphers between reproductive and non-reproductive sexuality. This is important because women are no longer considered at risk of pregnancy, but yet she is still at risk of social implications that perceive women as reproductive machinery. A neutral ground between the sexes seems here impossible because of the heterosexual ties to procreation, especially in marriage. This vertical model creates hierarchal categories leading to stereotypes present in society. The Christian example succeeds in establishing a reproductive boundary line that promotes sexual intercourse in the form of procreation.

Prostitution was related to homosexuality because of the unnatural sexual conduct displayed by the women involved (i.e. it did not necessarily lead to procreation in practice).

The horizontal division separates a woman?s life into two stages: pre- and post- puberty. This seems a bit ridiculous considering women are unable to reproduce until the post-pubescent years. One explanation Tabet offers is the example of the

Polynesian society. Elders keep political and economic control by encouraging young men to have non -reproductive sexual relations. We are led to believe men fear female biology and manipulate women accordingly. This destruction of women?s sexual drive

places reproduction as the focal point of masculine manipulation and female obligation to reproduce.

THE EXPLOITATION OF REPRODUCTION

Tabet explores the concept of reproduction in the form of work emphasizing work is not specific to women, but rather society as a whole. In reproductive work, when the object (woman) is being exploited, she is alienated and the man, who does no work, and thus has the ability to impose on it. Women who are exempt from breast feeding, for example, transfer this biological function to another source outside the body. Although some economic advantages appear, the emotional loss is far greater.

?Womb-renting,? where the reproductive capacity is transferred to the womb purchaser, is yet another example of controlled reproduction historically present in society. Today, there is a weakening of the institution of marriage that seems to

deteriorate women?s situation in all the cases. However, other contradictions continue to thrive based on the system of patriarchy started long ago.

Summary by Lisa Schilz