In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, Ohio lawmaker Grant Matthews, a staunch opponent of abortion and co-sponsor of the state’s controversial “heartbeat bill,” was posed a rather straightforward question: why might a woman seek an abortion? His response was less than enlightening.
After a rather awkward pause, he admitted, “Well, there’s probably a lot of re— I d— I d— I’m not a woman. [Laughs] So I’m thinking now, if I’m a woman, why would I want to get… some of it has to do with economics. A lot of it has to do with economics. I don’t know — I’ve never — it’s it’s a question I’ve never even thought about.”
Really? You’ve dedicated much of your career to opposing abortion, yet you’ve never bothered to consider why a woman might make that choice? You’re backing a bill that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected (which happens around six weeks — often before many women even realize they’re pregnant), and you can’t even fathom the reasons behind such a decision? It’s baffling.
What’s more appalling: trying to impose laws that strip women of their autonomy while admitting you haven’t thought through the implications, or showing such a blatant disregard for women’s experiences that their voices don’t even register on your radar? Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
In fact, the way he stated, “So I’m thinking now if I’m a woman why would I want to get…” drips with condescension. It’s as if considering a woman’s perspective is an outrageous notion, akin to contemplating what his razor desires before he shaves.
You might expect that those advocating for such extreme measures would possess a sound understanding of the implications for women and society. Unfortunately, the reality is often far from that. Women have learned time and again that many of the men trying to control their bodies know next to nothing about them. Remember that Idaho representative who thought a camera could be swallowed for a uterus examination? Yeah, these are the individuals dispensing medical advice.
The disconnect is astounding. They simply don’t understand and should not have a say in such deeply personal health care choices. Matthews’ interview highlights not only ignorance but a disturbing lack of empathy. If you can’t even contemplate the impact of your decisions on others, it suggests a belief that those affected are unimportant.
Matthews further showcased his insensitivity during the legislative debate over the bill, claiming, “What we have here is really the need to give people the incentive to be more responsible so we reduce unwanted pregnancies and by the way, the vast majority of abortions are performed on women who were not raped.” Does he really think most abortions are the result of mere “irresponsibility”? Does he envision women scheduling abortions like appointments for car maintenance?
That’s a fantasy. The notion that women rely on abortion as a form of birth control is a myth. By promoting “responsibility,” he’s actually punishing women, infantilizing them, as if they aren’t capable of making their own choices. It’s egregious that he hasn’t even taken the time to ask women why they might seek an abortion in the first place. In short, he’s being utterly ignorant, and we absolutely want him to keep his laws off our bodies.
For more insights on this topic, be sure to check out our other blog posts, such as this one. If you’re exploring options for growing your family, Make a Mom is an excellent resource for home insemination kits. For additional information on pregnancy, the CDC offers comprehensive resources.
Summary
In a recent interview, Ohio lawmaker Grant Matthews revealed his ignorance about women’s reasons for seeking abortions, sparking outrage over his condescending remarks and lack of understanding. His stance on legislation affecting women’s reproductive rights underscores a troubling disconnect and a disregard for women’s autonomy and experiences.