One Woman's Reaction: US Representative Todd Akin on Rape and Pregnancy

“It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.”

— US Rep. Todd Akin

Missouri House Representative Akin made his now-infamous remarks about the connection between rape and pregnancy while insisting on banning abortion at any stage and for any reason. He has since offered the explanation that he simply “misspoke,” using the wrong word. He has not changed his opinion at all about the heart of the issue. Given his record, one would not expect him to do so. Herewith, one woman’s reaction to the brouhaha:

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When, for heaven’s sake, is rape ever “legitimate?” It is an illegal act.

If the female body in question fails in its efforts “to shut the whole thing down” as Akin so blithely remarks, does this imply (a) that there has been a catastrophic failure on the part of that body (oh, let’s blame the female)? Or does it mean that the woman secretly enjoyed the rape? Or, worse yet, perhaps she was “asking for it” in the first place, and therefore the body went along with the idea even if she didn’t want a child? Oh, please!

Mr. Akin’s obvious lack of knowledge about the workings of the female reproductive system is pathetic. Did he never take a biology class?

According to a study that has been cited by the US Centers for Disease Control, 5% of women who have been raped become pregnant. This possibility occurs only during the two or three days a month when they are fertile. For 9/10 of the month, they can be raped and NOT conceive. Talk about slight comfort…

Think about the fact that 5% statistic comes from the number of reported rapes. It’s anyone’s guess how many rapes with resultant pregnancies go unreported, whether because of the effectiveness of the “morning after” pill, or simply from fear and shame. Five per cent of pregnancies reported from rape sounds relatively small, until one considers that 5% of raped women equals a staggering 32,000 women per year who are faced with the decision of whether or not to carry and bear the child of a rapist.

Considering his ineptitude with the English language, it is tempting to question Mr. Akin’s education altogether, although he is listed as having graduated from both high school and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He certainly does not speak like an educated man.

He announced, via Twitter, that he “felt deep empathy” for the victims of rape. Empathy means feeling with. I can only assume he meant sympathy, which means feeling sorry for or about — but even that connotes at least being able to understand another’s feelings. Unless he becomes female, he cannot possibly feel WITH a raped woman, whether or not she then becomes pregnant.

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One Woman's Reaction: US Representative Todd Akin on Rape and Pregnancy

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