When discussing societal moral codes and scrutiny of “blameworthy” reproductive behaviours, it is interesting to go back to Linda McClain’s work on American public policy and reproductive responsibility. Focusing on judgmental attitudes towards single, teenage or indigent parents, McClain criticises the ideological heaping of blame on individuals.
Can ideology be enforced on biological urges? There seem to be a dissonance between cultural ideas and what is believed to be a primary instinct. However childbirth in itself is often a result of either a political or religious ideology, so can the two ever be viewed as separated?
Unlike an urge, it is acceptable to criticise or protest against an ideology. So can it be argued that as parenthood falls within the realms of ideological action it is a legitimate arena for disapproval, dissent and blame?
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