In South Carolina, women are asked to wait for 24 hours before getting an abortion. To raise awareness about the difficulties women encounter if they chose to undergo an abortion, state Rep. Mia McLeod proposed a law that would require men a 24-hour wait before receiving a Viagra prescription.
The bill dictates when men could get the drug. When passed, it would require men to produce his partner's signed affidavit that will prove the bearer has an erectile dysfunction. Moreover, the proposed law will require men to take health tests and see a sex therapist.
According to Guttmacher Institute, South Carolina women are required to attend counseling prior to an abortion. Minors' parents must also sign a consent before an operation could take place. These are just some of the hindrances South Carolina women face if they chose to this road.
McLeod doesn't expect the bill to push through. However, she aims to use the bill as an opportunity to raise the valid arguments on how difficult it is for South Carolina women to choose this single reproduction option.
"I purposely tried to make it as invasive, as intrusive, as hypocritical, and unnecessary as possible to make the point," said McLeod who added that she belongs to a legislature dominated by men. McLeod's goal is to widen the discussion about the hindrances South Carolina women face.
In November, Missouri State Rep. Stacey Newman proposed a bill that would regulate gun purchase similar to what the state is doing with abortions. Newman's stand is the same as McLeod. Both want to get people talking about the hypocritical regulations on guns and women's bodies.
If passed, Newman's bill will require people to wait 72 hours before they can buy a gun. People would also be required to buy a gun at a store located 120 miles from their residence. The same regulations apply to abortions in Missouri.
"If the appetite is for more and more reproductive restrictions, then it makes sense if to apply those to gun purchases," said Newman. "My colleagues leave me no choice, because all we hear about is pro-life, pro-life pro-life."
Photo: Felix E. Guerrero | Flickr
