As I stood there, overwhelmed by the energy of the Women’s March, I felt an urge to join in. I couldn’t help but smile and sway to the rhythm, surrounded by a sea of people capturing the moment. My nearly four-year-old daughter, Clara, stood at the center of it all, chanting “My body, my choice!” The crowd responded in unison, “Her body, her choice!”
While I should have been immersed in the experience, I felt detached, as if witnessing from a distance. Yet, I was crucial to this scene, both as her father and as the base from which she rallied the crowd. Throughout the day, Clara discovered her power to capture attention and began leading new chants, mostly celebrating women’s rights, with a few anti-Trump phrases sprinkled in.
We attended the march in Washington, D.C., the day after the 2017 inauguration not just out of proximity but because my husband and I are passionate about social justice issues. We’re committed to raising a strong and aware daughter.
The march was a powerful statement for equality, pushing back against misogyny and discrimination. While not the official focus, many participants were voicing their opposition to the new president, known for his derogatory remarks about women.
You may think we were irresponsible for bringing our daughter into such a complex and intense environment, especially letting her chant alongside adults. Is this cultural indoctrination? Certainly, but consider the following:
- Clara picked up a discarded “My Body, My Choice” sign simply because she wanted to participate.
- She was drawn to the bright colors on the sign, and as she is learning to read, we explained what the words meant.
What I didn’t anticipate was her getting the crowd involved. Initially, I was taken aback, witnessing a preschooler chanting about political issues, but then I confronted my own biases. As a white woman, my experiences with social injustice are limited. I often rely on the narratives of friends and family, especially my partner, who faces these realities daily.
I grappled with the thought that perhaps we were exposing her to concepts she couldn’t fully grasp. Yet, upon reflection, I realized that her chants were not harmful. They reinforced the idea that her body is her own, a lesson we’ve been instilling in her from an early age. In a world that often dismisses women’s autonomy, teaching Clara about consent and ownership over her own body is crucial.
As for her future beliefs, we’re pro-choice, which means we support the right to make personal decisions about one’s body. However, we also value her autonomy to discover her own beliefs as she matures.
In essence, I have no regrets about my daughter’s moment as an activist at the Women’s March. She held her sign high, embodying the message that her body is hers alone — and that’s a powerful lesson for any child.
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Summary:
This piece reflects on the author’s experience at the Women’s March with her young daughter, who unexpectedly became a vocal participant. The author grapples with the complexities of raising a child in a politically charged environment while reinforcing the importance of body autonomy and consent. Through this experience, she highlights the balance between advocacy and understanding in parenting.