welcome to hot pronatalIST summer! |
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August 2025 | Don't say we didn't warn you |
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In this newsletter: - a short rant about how the media covers pronatalism
- smarter (and funnier) pronatalism coverage by me and others including a full scene from My So-Called Selfish Life
- you can now buy the film for home video!
- educators: you need this for your teaching tool kit
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Uncle Sam wants you to make babies! By Luke Murphy for My So-Called Selfish Life |
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My So-Called Selfish Life tells the stories of people making choice through the lens of pronatalism. Quick refresher: it's a social system that encourages or pressures people to have children (or more children)—but only the right kind of people. America's current political hellscape has woven this pressure directly into Project 2025 policy. Don't say we didn't warn you. Remember the childless cat ladies? Ahhh…those were simpler times. This is all to say that my inbox is overflowing with 'pronatalism' news alerts. I should be thrilled by the coverage, but honestly? So much of it is by people who can't grasp the concept yet keep churning out lazy, misinformed hot takes. In fact, pronatalism is not “new” ( more like thousands of years old), not "fringe" ( unless guilt trips about grandkids are suddenly niche), was not invented by an unhinged Silicon Valley couple ( seriously, stop), and spans all political affiliations ( though conservatives do bring the extra nastiness and racism to the table). This Fall, you'll find the me and the film back on the road, talking about reproductive freedom, the pressures around motherhood, and choosing the lives that are best for us. Until then, I made you a list of very good things to read, watch, and share… |
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A sensible person's guide to pronatalist politics |
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From social and family pressures to pop culture, it's everywhere. |
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Enjoy and share these additional articles and videos from me and others. Here is what they're about: *Feel free to share the “What Is Pronatalism” scene with anyone who might be interested in home viewing, teaching, or outreach. I'd appreciate it if you could include the url myselfishlife.com. |
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What is Pronatalism animation by Luke Murphy for My So-Called Selfish Life |
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Add My So-Called Selfish LIfe to your teaching tool kit! |
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- pronatalism as a social, cultural, and political tool for reproductive control
- the weaponization of declining fertility rates
- elective sterilization as reproductive health care
- childfree issues as a facet of Motherhood Studies
- how the growing childfree movement is reshaping what it means to live a fulfilling life
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If you are reading in text only or with an assistive device and have issues with the formatting, let us know so we can fix it. |
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TEXT IN GRAPHIC: Thanks for reading to the bottom of the page! I’m Therese Shechter, the writer and director of My So-Called Selfish Life, a documentary about reproductive freedom through the stories of childfree women.I’ve made films about feminism, virginity, Turkish men and childfree women. You can find them here. Learn more about my films and invite me to your screening event at the Trixie Films website.How are you doing? Hit reply and say hello! I’ll write back. xoTherese |
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The West End
Toronto, Ont 000 000, Canada |
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