On Choices
What brought me to Kindman & Co. was, in large part, the stance that therapy is political. Of course what happens in our lives, in our families, and in our culture, is impacted by political systems and legislation. We don’t live in a vacuum and it is part of the task of therapy to make space for clients to understand and contextualize their experience within these systems, and to connect with the emotions—rage, despair, shame, etc.—that these systems create within us and then make us believe are our own fault (e.g. I am an anxious person). Spoiler: Your response to an oppressive system is not your fault.
what are the systems of oppression in place?
When I say systems of oppression I mean: racism, capitalism, ableism, classism, hetero-patriarchy, the gender binary, immigration policy, education policy, Native Land policy, housing policy, healthcare policy, drug policy, education policy, mortgage and fiscal policy, sexism, voting rights laws. All of these things are integrally connected to who has access to what kind of resources, what kind of supports, and what kind of life choices.
The system of white supremacy in America functions in insidious and codified ways that continually disenfranchise, colonialize, and oppress BIPOC and those with intersectional identities of oppression. By taking away power and resources, these systems then limit the choices of those who have been oppressed, and ensure the status quo remains.
There are countless examples of how this happens, how our society limits the choices available to people and then criminalizes the choices they are able to make with what resources they have—the school to prison pipeline, redlining, racial profiling.
how abortion rights is connected
Restricting or eliminating access to abortion, thus forcing someone to experience trauma and/or carry a child to term against their will is, incontestably, part of this same system. The repeal of Roe v. Wade will have limited impact on those living in liberal bastions, or those with privileged axes of identities. It is those who are already oppressed by systems, who have limited choices—people with uteruses who are poor, people of color, LGBTQIA2S+, undocumented, disabled, who are the sole caretaker/provider for several children. Those people will suffer if we take away yet another choice.
And our government will criminalize the result, however implicitly, as it does in all the other systems. Restrictions on abortion will not coincide with universal access to healthcare. It will not be proportionate to social welfare supports for families. The government will not address Child Protective Services funding, policies, or practices. Nor will this repeal coincide with a shift toward restorative justice practices. Restrictions will not impact school quality or access, or the salaries of teachers. They will not improve access in food deserts, or consider clean urban recreational space for play. Banning abortion will not address system-wide inequities in policy that will continue to impact those parents and children across their lifespan.
This is about the regulation of certain bodies, and it is about how we govern, how we think of human rights, and how systems of oppression make us think we are separate when the reality is we are all in this society together.
The system is designed to uphold itself, and we must keep perspective on the bigger picture, so that we can create radical, transformative, community-based change.
Therapy is healthcare.
And so is abortion access.
Join us in protesting to protect everyone’s right to have choices.
Anna Kim is an Associate Clinical Social Worker, a writer, and an adventurer. Anna works with individuals, intimate relationships, families, and groups to support growth and change. She is especially interested in grief & loss, identity & authenticity, and attachment, but appreciates all the infinite, complicated parts of being alive.
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We are here for your diverse counseling needs. Our team of therapists provides lgbtqia+ affirmative therapy, couples therapy & premarital counseling, grief & loss counseling, group therapy, and more. We have specialists in trauma, women's issues, depression & anxiety, substance use, mindfulness & embodiment, and support for creatives. For therapists and practice owners, we also provide consultation and supervision services! We look forward to welcoming you for therapy in Highland Park and online.