Ethical Concerns About Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs)

I think that older women should have the option to use unnatural ways such as assisted reproductive technology to get pregnant. I think it is a great new option that women who are older such as in their early 40's can use to become a parent. For example my aunt is in her early forties and married late. She is a wonderful person and will make the most caring mother. She desperately wanted to be a mother but could not get pregnant naturally. Now she is due in April with a child and is so thrilled. I think that parents who choose this option will often make great parents because they want to have their children so badly that they will spend a lot of energy on raising their children and their children will be important to them. I also think this is a great option for younger mothers who cannot get pregnant naturally. The mothers who go through this tedious process obviously want to have a child badly. They are bound to care very much for their child. I think that one of the most important qualities a parent should have is wanting to be a caring parent for their child. Therefore I think that this new technology will create families that are very connected and dedicated to each other and this is only a good thing. I do have an issue when it comes to mothers at the age of 6o or so giving birth. I do not think that this is fair to the child to have a child at this old of an age in life. I think that mothers should be able to use this technology until the age of late 40's or at an age where they can prove they are healthy and have the energy to care adequately for their child. Overall I am excited about the new opportunities the technology is creating for new caring happy families such as my new cousin on the way!

Taylor Faulkner

The Saga of Lilly Ledbetter: Final Post

 Sen. Barbara Miluski of Maryland (who sponsored the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act), Michelle Obama, and Lilly Ledbetter after the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

We have read this week's comments, and they are all fantastic. Everyone has such great insights, and this is the kind of discussion we had in mind when choosing this topic and writing this blog. 

For the most part, everyone agreed that this was a step in the right direction towards equal pay, but not the be-all, end-all. You agreed that these changes may be slow to take place: some companies will follow through, but others will "fall through the cracks" until threatened with a lawsuit or similar action. Some people expressed concerns that companies that are smaller or have lower-paid employees may not follow the law, because their employees do not have the means to sue them. Others are afraid that the dismal economy will hurt this act. Many people mentioned the issue of transparency: we are encouraged to keep our salaries private, which means that we do not know if we're being discriminated against.

The class seems to be in agreement that the courts were just following the laws, but that the laws themselves were flawed. SOmeone had the interesting (and frighteningly enough, probably true) thought that the laws were set up this way intentionally, to provide a loophole for discriminatory practices.

The class was also in agreement that this will advance the cause of feminist, not hurt it. It shows how much we still need to focus on feminism & gender equality. 

We all agree that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will help families, especially single mothers, and we are all glad that it was finally passed.

-Bonnie Bryant, Rhyanna Anderson, Rachel Badger, Mia Bloombecker