Empathy During the Pandemic
Recently, I came across an article from Evie Magazine, an allegedly “unbiased” opinion blog, that argued women should be having children during the pandemic, and those who choose not to or wait are selfish.
While I agree with the author’s stance on staying optimistic during hard times, the author greatly downplays the tragic events of 2020 and the devastating hardships that millions of people around the world face as a consequence. She paints all women who choose not to have children during this time with a broad brush, labeling them as “ignorant” and “selfish” while overlooking the harsh realities that they face.
As I am writing this article right now, 1,186,243 people have died from COVID-19. That’s 1,186,243 mothers, fathers, children, and spouses. The pandemic has upended the global economy, leaving many hungry, homeless, and jobless. Hearing about death everyday on the nightly news and adjusting to a “new normal” of social distancing have caused many to feel anxious and isolated. The senseless killings of unarmed Black Americans at the hands of police have enraged many and left many Black Americans fearful for their well-being. The upcoming election in the United States has also increased tensions for many women, as they are afraid about their reproductive rights being potentially taken away.
These hardships have taken a physical, emotional, and financial toll on many women. The fear that the author describes does not come from thin air. Rather, it is the byproduct of these events, and the author fails to recognize that because of these events out of individual control, many women do not have the resources to raise a child in a happy, healthy, and financially secure household.
The pandemic itself
Without a vaccine or medication, COVID-19 is an uncontrollable monster, taking away innocent lives without notice and ruining the health of others with long-term symptoms. Though many believe that only older adults are at elevated risk for COVID-19, young adults are also at risk for getting the virus. In the CDC report from March 2020, 20% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were between the ages of 20–44. Immunocompromised young adults are especially at risk, as those with preexisting medical conditions are more likely to contract severe symptoms of the virus. Survivors of COVID-19 experience debilitating chronic health issues; even young patients experience heart damage and shortness of breath. For many young women who have fell ill due to the virus, recovery is not a short time. It is a long journey back to normalcy, and these women deserve to take time to heal without having to worry about having children just yet.
The economic consequences of the pandemic
Just as the pandemic has damaged human health, it has also destroyed the economy. Unemployment has reached all-time highs, with the U.S. unemployment rate hitting 14.4% in April, one of the highest in American history. The unemployment rate has been significantly higher for women than men, as 14.3% of women were unemployed compared to 11.9% of men in May 2020. Many women have involuntarily left the workforce or cut down their hours due to a lack of childcare. Young adults have also struggled significantly with unemployment; about one in four young adults between 16–24 are unemployed, followed by 13.1% of young adults between 25–34. Many sectors dominated by young people, such as the tourism and entertainment industry, have experienced massive layoffs, due to COVID-19 closures. As a result of unemployment, many young adults struggle each day to keep themselves alive. Clearly, for young adults that have experienced financial loss due to the pandemic, they prioritize getting back their financial health. If these unemployed young adults are worried about whether food will be on the table or a roof will be over their heads, then they don’t have the energy or the resources to care for a child properly.
The mental health consequences of the pandemic
The negative health and economic effects of the pandemic have also triggered a mental health crisis in the world. According to a Boston University study, depression rates have tripled due to the pandemic, as 27.8% of U.S. adults had depressive symptoms in mid-April compared to 8.5% before the pandemic. Young adults, essential workers, and minorities have faced the greatest amounts of mental health issues. The pandemic has greatly increased stress: people are worried about their health, their finances, and xenophobia. Social distancing has caused many to feel lonely, cut off from real-world contact with friends and family. Mental health issues, like physical health issues, do not go away on their own quickly. Mental health treatment takes time and professional care, and women suffering from mental health issues should take all the time they need to recover.
The fight for racial justice
COVID-19 has especially damaged poor minority communities, as they are often devoid of affordable, high-quality health care, have disproportionate representation in essential work, and may live in crowded settings or experience homelessness. According to the CDC, Native Americans were 5.3 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19, and Black and Hispanic Americans were 4.7 times as likely to be hospitalized. Many members of minority groups lack health insurance, as nearly 18% of Hispanic Americans and 10% of Black Americans are uninsured. The disproportionate representation of minorities in essential work, such as food services, delivery drivers, and health care also contributes to the increased hospitalization rates. Essential work is not remote and is often done in close quarters, which leads to a greater risk of exposure to the virus. Minorities also face healthcare discrimination; many Black women have experienced doctors who fail to treat their pain.
The author describes the “chaos” of the year as if it were merely black smoke clouds outside a thick glass window, where people are merely viewers of a disaster. However, the chaos is very real: millions of people, including women, have had their lives torn apart due to the unfortunate events of the year. Millions of women across the world do not have the privilege of good health, financial standing, or mental well-being; the intersectionality of race and class even furthers the burdens on minority women. Even if a woman simply doesn’t want children, it is a woman’s individual choice at the end of the day, and she should do what is best for her given her current circumstances and her desires. In fact, it is only ignorant and selfish to bring a child into the world when one does not have the resources or desire to do so.
In times of unprecedented division and chaos, we should seek to understand, not demonize, each other. I never intend to attack the author’s personal position; rather, I intend to support all women, no matter their choice on having children during the pandemic. Every woman is going through something different, and each woman’s story should be listened to. Instead of ignoring women who have fallen onto hard times, we should empathize with their struggles and work towards a more equitable world for all.
Author’s note: There is no such thing as an unbiased opinion. Just say that you have an opinion.
