Side B

The perspective of one with a penis.

Setting aside, for the moment, the obvious ad hominem fallacy. This states that in order to be truly masculine, you must believe in a lack of bodily autonomy for women. Real men control their women’s bodies.

Further, it’s extremely toxic. It places a value judgement that says “If you’re not pro-life, you’re not a real man.” Men who say this are showing themselves to be insecure in their own masculinity. They’re making that claim to be assured that they’re in fact masculine.

To finally touch upon the ad hominem fallacy, it proves that they really have no argument to back up their view. So, instead they attack the people involved in the pro-choice movement. In doing this, they hope to distract from the fact that they do not have a solid foundation with which to back their side. Further, they do not feel secure in their masculinity, so they attack the masculinity of those on the other side to shore up their own.

My final point is this:

In making this about men, they are erasing who this entire issue is about. The rights of women to choose. This isn’t about men. It never was. It’s about women’s right’s to their own bodily autonomy and right to make decisions about their bodies.

- Written by T.L.