#autonomy under pressure

[husk-says-no]

Husk, Husk, Husk, aw man. How do you live, yaknow? How do you live. So like, the boss is gonna make me work for years to get into this elite job I hate. Because it’s the perfect job for him to get what he wants (don’t ask). It’s not the worst job out there, but it’s so far from what I’d like to be doing with my time, and worse, if I don’t get results in it, he is going to flip. out. How do you live, all that just. Being there. And being life. And no, I can’t leave. Physically. Just, can’t, okay. I know his detailed plans to punish everyone around us if I fail. How do ya study like that. How do you live. Anyway I figured you’d know! Maybe.

Yeah… I know that situation. Got a boss like that myself.

Charismatic, calculated, thinks he’s doin’ you a favor while quietly pullin’ the strings tight enough to leave bruises. Always smilin’. Always watchin’. He doesn’t yell, not usually—but when he does? You remember it for weeks. And the scariest part? Most folks don’t even see the leash ‘til it’s already around their neck.

So yeah, kid. I know exactly what it’s like to “work” for someone whose idea of loyalty looks a lot like quiet servitude wrapped in a velvet threat. You don’t leave, ‘cause if you do, somebody else takes the hit. That ain’t a job—that’s psychological warfare with a dress code.

Now—how do you live?

You compartmentalize. That’s the first skill. You break your life into sections. This part’s for him, fine, but this sliver right here? That’s yours. Your thoughts, your memories, your defiance. Even if it’s small, it’s sacred. Learn how to protect it. Weaponize it, if you have to.

Then you master detachment. Not apathy—that’s poison. I mean strategic detachment. You show up, you perform, you check the boxes, and you leave as much of yourself at the door as you can. The more you try to be yourself in a space built to control you, the more it’ll hurt. So you don’t give ‘em the real you—not unless you choose to. Not unless it’s safe.

And most important—don’t let ‘em make you forget who you are. That job, that pressure, that fear? It doesn’t define you. It’s a context, not a character. You still get to be you. Quietly. Fiercely. With whatever strength you can scavenge.

When you're stuck in a power-imbalanced dynamic like this—where exit isn't an option and performance is survival—the goal stops being success or fulfillment. The goal becomes retaining agency. You survive by maintaining mental autonomy in a system that wants to consume it.

Even if you're playin' their game, play it like it’s a long con. Learn their patterns. Keep your own goals stashed somewhere safe, even if they gotta stay in your head for now. You're not weak for adapting. You're smart for stayin’ alive.

And for what it’s worth? The fact that you're askin’ how to live means you still want to. That’s the spark. The fight. That’s what they can’t take from you—unless you let ‘em.

And I got a feelin’ you won’t.

[wiisagi-maiingan]

Even when I'm really invested in the topic and enjoy the writing style, reading books about the history of Natives in the US really is just a miserable and draining experience. It's just a constant flood of hate and violence and cruelty.

[subtlesolitude-tailoredtaste]

🔪🧿⛓️‍💥

⚙️🦋⚒️

🛠️💎⚔️

[noraevelineecgc]

The power struggle between the Federation and the states: A War on gender and autonomy

On February 21, 2025, a conflict recorded in the history of American politics broke out in the Oval Office of the White House - a fierce confrontation between Janet Mills, the governor of Maine, and US President Donald Trump, pushing the power game between the federal and state governments to an unprecedented climax. The core of this confrontation directly points to the executive order signed by Trump on February 5 of the same year, "prohibiting men from participating in women's sports", which requires federal agencies to reinterpret "Title IX of the Education Act Amendment" and prohibit transgender women from participating in women's sports. Maine, as one of the few states in the United States that explicitly allows transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity, has become the frontline of this "cultural war".

Tensions: How Do Executive Orders tear Apart Legal Consensus

The executive order of the Trump administration, under the name of "protecting the fairness of women's sports", actually pressured the states through federal financial and judicial means. According to this policy, any state that allows transgender women to compete may face cuts in federal education funds or lawsuits from the Department of Justice. On February 25th, the US Department of Health and Human Services directly issued a violation notice to the state of Maine, stating that its current policy "deprives female student athletes of their rights", and demanded that the Maine Department of Education adjust the policy within 10 days, otherwise legal proceedings would be triggered.

However, Governor Mills hit back with a tough stance, accusing the federal government of "overstepping its authority to interfere in local autonomy". She publicly stated at the National Governors Association Conference: "The legislation in Maine is based on science and human rights, not political manipulation." We will not allow the federal government to deprive the citizens of this state of their dignity. This stance quickly triggered a chain reaction: civil organizations that support transgender rights, legal scholars, and even some moderate Republican lawmakers all spoke out, criticizing the Trump administration for "abusing executive power to undermine the foundation of the federal system".

The political calculations behind gender disputes

This conflict is far from being a simple dispute over sports rules. Analysts point out that Trump's executive order is one of the key strategies for consolidating the conservative base during his second term. By tying transgender issues to "traditional values", Trump attempts to continue mobilizing right-wing voters after the 2024 election while diverting public attention from controversies such as tightened immigration policies and escalating tariff wars.

However, Governor Mills' counterattack was equally full of political wisdom. As an important representative of the Democratic Party in the Northeast, she ingeniously transformed the contradiction between the federal government and the states into a "battle for the majority of state rights". At the meeting on February 21st, she cited several precedents of the Supreme Court in recent years, emphasizing that "states enjoy the autonomy granted by the Constitution in areas such as education and public health." This statement not only received support from the governors of the blue states, but even raised the vigilance of some red states regarding the expansion of federal powers - for instance, although the governor of Texas did not publicly support Maine, he privately told the media that "federal intervention needs to have a clear constitutional basis".

The survival battle of the transgender community and the broader political alliance

For the transgender community in Maine, this struggle is directly related to the right to survival. A local high school track and field athlete tearfully stated at the hearing, "Banning me from competing is tantamount to declaring that society does not recognize my female identity." The heavy blow from the federal government is more likely to destroy the gender inclusion system that the state has built over a decade - from school locker room allocation to scholarship eligibility, the rights of transgender people will be completely regressed.

But Mills' strategy goes far beyond this. In her recent speech, she called for: "All groups that have suffered losses due to the federal New Deal - whether they are farmers squeezed by immigration quotas or small business owners who have lost export orders due to the tariff war - should join this battle to defend state rights." This call directly points to the multiple policy weaknesses of the Trump administration: the immigration austerity under the pretext of "national security" has led to a shortage of agricultural labor; The retaliatory imposition of tariffs on China has dealt a heavy blow to Maine's lobster export industry. By tying transgender issues to groups whose economic interests have been undermined, Mills attempts to build an ideological "anti-federalist expansion alliance".

The struggle between the judicial battlefield and public opinion trends

Legal experts predict that this case may eventually be brought to the Supreme Court. Currently, the Maine Attorney General's Office has begun preparing litigation materials. The core arguments include "the federal executive order violates the principle of state rights reservation stipulated in the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution" and "gender identity discrimination constitutes unconstitutional". It is worth noting that in the "Hogwood v. Georgia" case of 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that each state has the right to formulate its own gender-related education policies. This precedent may provide crucial legal support for Maine.

The battlefield of public opinion is equally fierce. Conservative media have portrayed transgender athletes as a threat of "physical superiority over ordinary women", while the liberal camp has refuted this with data: statistics from the National High School Athletic Association show that the participation of transgender athletes has not led to abnormal performance distribution in women's events. More subtly, the tourism industry in Maine has begun to mobilize - operators of the state's LGBTQ-friendly resorts jointly wrote a letter to the state government, warning that "a policy setback will result in economic losses of hundreds of millions of dollars".

A storm that redefines the federal system of the United States

When Governor Mills signed her name on the court documents, she was not only opposing a certain policy of the Trump administration, but also an ultimate game about "who has the right to decide citizens' lives". Whether it's the tears of transgender teenagers on the track or the unsold cargo holds of lobster fishermen due to the tariff war, these seemingly unrelated pain points have all been strung together in the Maine struggle to form a common narrative against the expansion of federal power.

The outcome of this storm may reshape the federal balance that has persisted in the United States for over two hundred years - and every sound of breathing under the heavy pressure of policies could become a fulcrum that shakes history.

[vioqueenofmushrooms]

AWESOME SEX-ED

Ok it has just occurred to me that probably not everyone knows about my favorite sex-ed resource, Scarleteen! They have loads of great articles with information about sex, birth control, etc. They also have ways for you to ask questions that you want answered!

They have articles on everything from having sex as a disabled person, a fat person, and/or an intersex person to how to get FREE birth control as a minor(!!!) asexuality 101 and so much more!!

This is an awesome resource and my go-to when I want to know something about sex, I highly recommend it for anyone with questions/curiosities about sex, and while it's largely teen focused, there will be something here that's helpful for just about anyone!

When I started writing this post I was just going to include a couple articles... but I found so many I like so here are a bunch that may be helpful under the cut (Disclaimer: I have not read all of them because there are so many, nor am I in every group of people they're about, for example I'm not intersex or disabled, so I can't speak to the accuracy of all of them, but I've generally found Scarleteen to be pretty reliable.)

The articles I've included are mostly less typical stuff and things I think are super important but not talked about enough, if you're looking for more basic sex-ed just going to their website will get you started.

Tagging a couple accounts on here who do sex-ed stuff incase they want to reblog (No pressure though <3) @certifiedsexed @batmanisagatewaydrug

ALSO APPARENTLY SCARLETEEN IS ON TUMBLR??? @hellyeahscarleteen amazing.

Anatomy

Quickies: Sexual Anatomy | Scarleteen

With Pleasure: A View of Whole Sexual Anatomy for Every Body | Scarleteen

Intersex stuff

(Inter)sex and Relationships | Scarleteen (A series of articles by an intersex person)

Supporting Your Intersex Child Through Puberty | Scarleteen

Trans stuff

Supports for Trans Youth and Their Families (and a few words for everybody else) | Scarleteen

It's a Trap: How to Spot Anti-Trans Resources | Scarleteen

Self-Care Amidst a Deluge of Anti-Trans Legislation | Scarleteen

Transmasculine Flow: Let's Talk Periods | Scarleteen

Welcome to Trans Summer School! | Scarleteen (At the top there's a drop down that says "This piece is part of Trans Summer School" which shows you all of the articles)

The Lowdown on Low-Dose Testosterone | Scarleteen

Finding Our Own Voices: Renée Yoxon and Gender-Affirming Vocal Therapy | Scarleteen

Some Books and Balms for Nonbinary Folks | Scarleteen

Fatness

Fat Bodies: Learning to Care for Your Rolls and Folds | Scarleteen

The Confidence of Fat Sexuality: An interview with sex educator Elle Chase | Scarleteen

Disability stuff

Disabled Sex: Sex for Two (or More) | Scarleteen

Wheelchair, Bound? Kink and Disability | Scarleteen

Consent Is Sexy: Sexual Autonomy and Disability | Scarleteen

We Need to Talk About Sex and ADHD | Scarleteen

Body Talk: Listening To and Learning From Your Chronic Pain | Scarleteen

A Disabled Persons Guide to Talking with Your Partner(s) About Sex | Scarleteen

Sex and Parent Caregivers | Scarleteen

Disabled Sex Yes! | Scarleteen

I really want to have sex, but I don't know how, and I'm queer, chronically ill and isolated. | Scarleteen

Birth control

Getting Birth Control May Be Easier Than You Think! | Scarleteen (Aka how to get FREE BIRTH CONTROL as a MINOR. Not just for the USA but also Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK)

How to Manage Pain with IUD Insertions | Scarleteen (Not even just about pain, super in-depth helpful guide)

Other

F*c&!ng First Aid: A Quick Guide to Common Sex Injuries | Scarleteen

From OW! to WOW! Demystifying Painful Intercourse | Scarleteen

Sex after rape. Where do I begin? | Scarleteen

Becoming Out: a totally non-exhaustive, step by step guide to coming out | Scarleteen

Your PMDD Primer: A Necessary Guide to an Under Researched Disorder | Scarleteen

Crisis Pregnancy Centers: Harm, Not Help | Scarleteen

Just the Basics, Ace: An Asexuality Primer | Scarleteen

[knivesandteeth]

Do you ever think about how Bashir saw every example of his exceptionalism as a reminder that his bodily autonomy was violated and his mind altered against his will, unable to truly excel if he wanted as this could be used against him but also constantly pressured by his parents and himself Be The Best™ or else what was it all for?

Do you ever think how this dynamic relates to him being an Arab man and how many POC have to work twice as hard to be recognised and still have their achievements devalued in the fragile face of white supremacy?

Do you think about how the ultimate fear of genetic augmentation is eugenics and the elimination of traits seen as undesirable under neurotypical str8 white supremacy? And the view of those who are unaltered as lower? And yet Bashir, a goofy, twinky, Autistic MOC who shows these traits very clearly, is seen as one of the only functional, successful augments? How instead of cold, inhuman amorality associated with augments (as Garak accuses him of) Bashir's morality is so so human - every line he skirts and boundary he crosses a desperate attempt to save lives and connect with other people? How he views himself as lower than everyone because of these augmentations and views any accolades as bittersweet, a reminder of the boy Jules who he feels he murdered to live?

Do you ever think about how Bashir constantly lives with the blinding, consuming fire of Kahn noonien-singh above him, unaware he is the gentle shadow at his feet?

Do you ever think about the emotional rollercoaster of Julian Bashir and want to give him a hug?

Or do you only think of yourself?

[chadobi]

You can delete this request if it makes you uncomfortable, but could I have the rise boys each learning that their S/o is supposed to be a “savior sibling”? Basically, S/o’s parents had them so they could donate blood and organs for S/o’s sick sibling. Kinda like “My Sister’s Keeper” movie situation where S/o sees themselves as just spare parts, and is being pressured to give up a kidney or smthn

Where I’m from, we say ‘You want it? You got it!’ so here you go, haha!

Rottmnt boys with S/O who is savior sibling

RISE!LEONARDO

Leo would try to be chill about it at first — light jokes, soft comfort, maybe a little “well, at least you’re the favorite kid, right?” But the moment he sees the pain behind your smile, the cracks start to form. He’s been forced into roles before, but you? You didn’t ask for this life.

“You’re not a replacement part, angel. You’re a whole person — with dreams, fears, choices. And no one — not even your family — gets to take that from you.”

Leo becomes fiercely protective, even if he doesn’t show it in front of you at first. He’ll make late-night phone calls to Donnie, researching medical laws and alternatives. If you’re being guilt-tripped or manipulated, he’s the first to stand between you and that pressure — even if it’s from your parents.

RISE!RAPHAEL

Raph doesn’t have the words at first. Just silence. Tense jaw. Knuckles turning white.

When you tell him how you feel — like you were made for someone else’s survival — his shell visibly tightens. He’s dealt with being the protector, the shield, the one who sacrifices. But you? You’re not meant to be someone’s tool.

“You’re not spare anything. You’re you. And that’s enough. If anyone can’t see that… I will. I’ll see it for both of us.”

Raph wants to fix it. Smash something. Confront your parents, maybe even scream at doctors. But more than anything, he just wants to hold you. He’ll be the wall you lean on when the guilt gets too loud — and he’ll remind you every day that you deserve to exist for yourself, not for someone else.

RISE!DONATELLO

Donnie’s first reaction is logic — research, medical ethics, genetic trauma studies, savior sibling legal cases. But inside, his circuits are sparking with rage.

When you say, “They only had me to save my sibling,” he hears: “They don’t see me as a person.” And that kills him.

“You are not a solution to a problem. You are not a contingency plan. You are a miracle of your own making — and I won’t let anyone treat you like a resource.”

He offers options: medical second opinions, therapy referrals, alternative solutions for your sibling. But the moment he realizes the pressure you’re under? He becomes your advocate, not just your boyfriend. If they try to manipulate you, Donnie will slice through it with precision — not just to protect you, but to give you back your autonomy.

RISE!MICHAELANGELO

Mikey cries.

Not right away, not in front of you. But later. Alone. Because the idea that you — bright, beautiful, kind you — were made to suffer for someone else’s sake? It breaks something soft in him.

“You’re not anyone’s backup plan. You’re you. And I’m so glad you’re here… not because of what you can give, but because of who you are.”

He holds you when you feel small. He listens without judgment. He brings you art supplies, journals, food — anything to help you feel human, real, wanted. Mikey makes it his mission to love every part of you that your family ignored.

He might not be a doctor, but he’ll be your healer in all the ways that matter.

[radfemsiren]

🤍A basic rundown of my beliefs as a radical feminist 🤍

(I don’t represent every radical feminist, but these are usually the standard opinions you’ll find of many radfems. Hate or disagree with them, that’s fine! But know the truth of who I am and what I stand for beforehand)

- there are 2 sexes, the male sex is oppressing the female sex

- femicide, rape, child sex abuse, hijab laws, female genital mutilation, domestic labor, trafficking, war crimes, revenge porn, prostitution… women and girls around the world are being exploited, tortured, and killed because of this oppression, and it must end.

- female oppression is sex based oppression, meaning a woman can’t just identify out of her oppression (for example hijab laws)

- sex is biological and an immutable truth, gender is a social construct

- gender should be done away with because gender roles are male supremacist and result in women and girls being stereotyped, dehumanized, barred from education, safety, bodily autonomy, etc.

- defining women with anything other than biology is misogynistic and relies on stereotypes

- the biological differences between men and women must be acknowledged in order to effectively end patriarchal oppression

- radical feminism is getting to the root of female oppression (radical -> root)

- misandry is not real and is just an extension of misogyny (for example, “men are told not to cry!” Yes because women are seen as inferior and any trait associated with us is seen as degrading/emasculating for men. This is why there is no female equivalent to emasculation.)

- all current religions are patriarchal and made by men to exploit and control women

- access to abortion is a human right and should never be threatened, women are the creators of life and deserve to gatekeep it, as well as exercise full autonomy over our own bodies

- Using sexist gender roles to define yourself is giving these misogynistic stereotypes power (wearing makeup or dresses doesn’t make anyone less or more of a woman, this is misogyny)

- the beauty industry is patriarchal and exploits women, our bodies and our money

- sex work is not work, it’s always exploitation (consent can not be bought)

- the porn industry is patriarchal and relies on trafficking, coercion, and rape to function. It also conditions its watchers to be aroused by violence against women, and results in more real life consequences for women and girls

- women’s spaces and institutions must be protected. Women’s safety is more important than catering to male feelings

- marriage is a patriarchal institution made to exploit the domestic labor of women for her entire life

- BDSM/kink are patriarchal and only center the pleasure and well being of men.

- hookup culture is patriarchal and the risk to reward is not worth it for women to engage in it

- gender ideology is patriarchal and is a direct hindrance to female liberation (we can’t define ourselves or our oppressors, we can’t create spaces away from our oppressors, we can’t create laws and policy based on these definitions, people who are gender non conforming / have gender dysphoria are pressured to alter their bodies to conform to a rigid standard and become lifelong medical patients, etc)

- choice feminism and liberal feminism caters to conforming to patriarchal standards and institutions, and refuses to examine why women make choices under patriarchy

- women of color face oppression on the axis of our sex and race, men of color only face oppression on the axis of their race

- non white patriarchal institutions must be criticized: a mullah is just as dangerous to the liberation of women as a pastor is

- women should decenter the men in their lives just as men have done with women. That means prioritizing us! Engaging in women’s media, art, stories, fostering female communities and support networks, uplifting and empowering their sisters around the world

- being a radical feminist means consistently taking radical action, big or small, we all can do it! Go support a female artist, go donate menstrual products to a shelter, go tell off a man when you see him making a woman uncomfortable. We all can make a difference!

…My feminism focuses on criticism of Islam and middle eastern patriarchy, but there are radfems with many focuses/passions… some in eco feminism, some on uplifting Romani women, black women, neurodivergent women, women with disabilities, prostituted women… some are passionate about women’s sports, women’s art, women’s writing, women’s history, lesbian and bisexual women’s stories… everyone has their passion on here, so before you come to attack, just check out my blog and click around at the different profiles on this corner of the internet…. maybe we might not be the terrible witches you thought us to be. Or maybe we are, but witches are awesome so who cares lol

[justidiothings]

feminism has been sold to us as the freedom to choose. Want to be a stay-at-home mom? Feminism supports that. Want to climb the corporate ladder? That’s feminism, too. Want to take your husband’s last name, wear makeup, or participate in beauty standards? As long as you chose it, it’s feminist, right?

That’s the core idea of choice feminism: that feminism is simply about ensuring women can make choices without restriction. It sounds good on the surface, but there’s a major flaw in this logic. For once,not all choices exist in a vacuum.

our choices aren’t always as “free” as we think. A woman might choose to shave her legs, wear high heels, or take her husband’s last name but did she really choose that in a completely neutral environment? Or was she influenced by societal pressures? a choice made under systemic pressure isn’t necessarily liberation. Just because a woman makes a choice doesn’t mean it challenges the structures that limit her in the first place.

For example, a woman choosing to take her husband’s last name might say it’s her decision, but she’s making it in a world where that’s still the default, where children are usually given the father’s surname, and where women who keep their own names sometimes face judgment.

a woman choosing to be a stay-at-home mom might feel like it’s her personal preference, but she’s making that choice in a society where childcare is expensive, women still do most of the unpaid domestic labor.

The biggest problem with choice feminism is that it frames all choices as equally feminist, even if they reinforce oppression. Take the rise of hyper-sexualized “empowerment” in pop culture. Some argue that things like pole dancing, OF, or the sexualization of women in media are feminist because they give women control over their bodies. And while autonomy is important, Who truly benefits from these choices? If the same systems that objectify and exploit women are profiting from it, is it really empowering, or is it just repackaging oppression in a way that feels more pleasant?

Similarly, choice feminism is often used to defend harmful power structures. Women who become successful in traditionally male dominated careers (think CEOS) they’re celebrated but if they’re still participating in and upholding systems that exploit others is their presence truly feminism?

a woman becoming the CEO of a company that underpays workers and exploits women in lower positions doesn’t make capitalism feminist.

a woman choosing to stay in a toxic relationship because she thinks suffering makes her a “good wife” doesn’t make patriarchy empowering

a female politician supporting policies that harm marginalized communities doesn’t make her leadership progressive.

Stop framing feminism as "as long as a woman chooses it, it's feminist.” when these choices are sometimes just oppression disguised as choices. when these choices are reinforcing systems of oppressions, not challenging it.

[reinbouxsworld]

Hey so like sorry if you're the wrong person to say this to but I love Jamil's character so much and it makes me so mad that the fandom takes Kalim's side in his ob when they're so much more sympathetic to everyone else's ob situation. Like all the ob's are caused by trauma so no olympics but Jamil was Kalim's slave??? He was literally fighting to stop being his slave? To the son of a rich merchant family that could decide the fate of his whole family?? The stakes were so fucking high. Kalim not knowing says everything about his relative privilege and nothing about his innocence. Kalim's saving grace was his willingness to change when he learned, but that slave-relationship was multigenerational and Jamil had no guarantee it would happen if he "asked for his freedom". I think the fandom has some real inner reckoning to consider about why Kalim crying is more upsetting than Jamil's (and his family's) life.

OKAY I HAVE A LOT TO SAY ON THIS ONE.

﹙𝑡𝑤𝑠𝑡.﹚ ─ WHY JAMIL TRAUMA IS (BUT SHOULDN'T BE) DOWNPLAYED

﹙ or why i support jamil viper rights and wrongs﹚

──────────────────────────────────────

٬٬ I think the most obvious reason is that Kalim, by being a very kind and often naïve person, wins people over quickly (myself included). He’s sweet, kind, and honest. He just wants to have a good time with his friends—he’s easy to be around and talk to. More often than not, a "happy person" is easier to forgive than someone you’re not as close to.

But what do I mean by that?

Jamil is not used to being himself. He always has to manage and calculate his every step to ensure he doesn’t overshadow Kalim’s presence, even though, by merit, he could be in the spotlight (which, at this point, I see as an unspoken Viper family tradition). And it’s not just when Kalim is around — even when Jamil is alone, he’s still under pressure to maintain his facade. We do see glimpses of him sometimes, especially after the overblot, where he's a little bit more acidic, smug and sincere, but the reality is that his entire life has been shaped around a forced role. The most frustrating part of his story is that when Jamil got to NRC, he had a brief moment of freedom—only for it to be taken away again by Kalim’s overwhelming presence. And the worst part? He wasn’t even chosen to be there. Kalim literally bought his way into NRC just to be with Jamil. I don’t think people fully realize how hopeless that must have made an already frustrated teenager feel. He had no choice but to start over, once again masking himself under Kalim’s shadow.

I won’t go into the nuances of his initial actions leading up to the overblot, but they clearly show his frustrations, especially when he hypnotized Kalim to do his own work as a housewarden.

And then, right after all the resentment and fight, we get Kalim crying over his friend. Of course, as you said, Kalim’s willingness to change is a big reason why the fandom takes his side. It makes sense— he genuinely wants to be a good friend. But the frustrating part is that people still reduce Jamil to just "the scheming servant" while ignoring everything else we see in the chapter. Kalim’s willingness to change is important, but it doesn’t undo the years of pressure, resentment, and lack of autonomy Jamil has endured. At the end of the day, Kalim can change, but Jamil? He’s still bound by the same expectations, the same role, the same system.

If you don’t look deeper into each chapter, it’s easy to sum up an overblot with a simple explanation: "Riddle is acting like his mom," "Leona is throwing a tantrum because he’s not king," and so on. I think we are often drawn more to the breaking point than to the underlying cause of it. But in Jamil’s case, the most obvious problem is also the one people tend to overlook: Jamil was — and, by definition, still is —Kalim’s servant. More than that, all Vipers still are.

The reason Jamil seems "fine" is because, unlike the others, he can’t change the very thing that made him feel this way in the first place. To be clear, I’m not downplaying any of the other boys' trauma—I’m speaking from a storytelling and borderline objective perspective. Most of the other characters could change their circumstances if they wanted to (again, i'm not saying it is easy or simple). Many of them have the resources and/or support networks to do so. But Jamil doesn’t. Even after his overblot, while Kalim gets to grow and change, Jamil is still stuck playing the same role. He may have a little more space to breathe, but his reality remains the same—his life is still controlled by the Al-Asim family.

────────

[beescake]

i am in love with your sollux i think

sollux love party :]

if you’re interested heres some of my personal fondness thoughts on him.. big warning for the mega long read ahead aye

as we alr know sollux's rejection of participation somewhat mirrors dave's rejection of heroism, but even without getting cooked to completion i still find sollux's character v compelling beyond the fourth wall

as someone who doesnt get a pinch of that Protagonist Sparkle to begin with, he can openly say he wants to leave anytime…. and unlike dave, he actually Can leave the scene anytime. but he can never be truly Free from the story via permanent character death like the other trolls.

his irrelevancy is indeed relevant - he’s there so u can point him out.

while his image is intended to be a relic of past internet subculture, his role is not only about hehehaha being a Chad or a 2000s cyberforum 2²chan haxxor ragequit gamebro.

his continued existence also happens to add a Bit to the overarching themes of homestuck! a Bit that gives him longer-lasting thematic relevance compared to the trolls who could’ve had more character potential but didnt get to survive beyond the main story.

the Bit in question:

his defiance contributes to the illusion of agency (treating characters = people with autonomy). he’s “aware” of it, and that recognition is worth noting enough to forcibly keep him alive as both reward and punishment.

considering how his personality & classpect is designed its definitely a very haha thing for hussie to do LOL. he’s made to be op asf so he's resigned to doing dirty work, gradually deteriorating along the way but never truly dying. as fans have mentioned before, him openly rejecting involvement after a while of grim tolerance is like if the sim u were controlling suddenly stopped, looked up and gave u the finger while u were step six into the walkthrough for Every Possible Sim Death Animation.

but since he’s just a sim… the more he hates it, the more you keep him around. if ur sim started complaining abt your whimsical household storyline you’d definitely keep that little fuck.

but yeah i like that sollux is just idling. the significance of his presence being that one dude who's always reliably Somewhere, root core Unchanged, no individual ambitions (possibly due to fear of consequence?), and design-wise: a staple representative product of his time.

compared to dirk's character, who has aged phenomenally well into the present (themes of control + AR + artificial intelligence, clearer exploration around navigating relationships/sexuality, infinite possibilities of self-splinterhood and trait inheritance), sollux's potential is really... contained. bitter. defeatist. limiting and frustrating in the way old tech is.

the world continues moving on to shinier, brighter, more advanced automated things - minimalist and metaverse or whatever but sollux is still here 🧍‍♂️ going woohoo redblue 3d. (tho personally i imagine his vibe similar to what the kids call cassette futurism on pinterest mixed w more grimy grunge insectoid influences eheh)

conceptually-speaking,

at the foundation of it all, the rapid pace of modern development was built off the understanding of ppl like sollux in the past, who were There actively at work while the dough was still beginning to rise

thats one of the cool things abt the idea of trolls preceding humans! the idea that trolls like sollux excelled back when lots of basic shit still needed to be discovered, building structures like networks and codes from scratch, and humans will eventually inherit and reinvent that knowledge in ways that become so optimized it makes the old manual effort seem archaic, slow, and labour-intensive.

but despite information/resources/shortcuts being more accessible now, much of the new highly-anticipated stuff released on trend still end up unfinished, inefficient, or expiring quickly due to cutting corners under severe capitalistic pressures

meanwhile, some of the old stuff frm past generations of thorough, exploratory and perfectionistic development still remains working, complete, and ever so sturdy.

those things continue to exist, just outside our periphery with either:

zero purpose left for modern needs (outdated/obsolete)

or

far too important to replace or destroy, bcs of its surprisingly essential and circumstantial usefulness in one niche specific area.

which are honestly? both points that sum up sollux pree well.

dramatic ending sorry. anw are u still on the fence or are u Sick abt him like me </3

[amillionideas]

Ginny Weasley

Ginny is such a fascinating character when you peel back her layers: beneath her bold, confident exterior is a girl fighting to carve out her own identity in a family where it’s easy to get lost. Being the youngest and the only girl in a family full of loud, opinionated boys? That’s a battle for space, for attention, for agency. And the way she navigates that pressure (sometimes through defiance, sometimes through sharpness) reveals both her strength and her wounds.

The Weight of Being "The Only Girl"

Ginny grows up in a household where gender roles, while never explicitly rigid, definitely shape how she is treated. Her mother dotes on her and clearly wants to protect her in a way she doesn’t with the boys. Molly’s love is fierce, but also stifling, especially for someone as independent as Ginny. Imagine how frustrating that must be when all your brothers are given more freedom while you’re constantly being watched.

This is a girl who grew up watching her brothers play Quidditch but was never invited to join them. She had to sneak out and practice on her own. Even from an early age, Ginny learned that if she wanted something, she had to take it for herself, no one was going to offer her a seat at the table.

And that kind of environment breeds a specific kind of defiance: I will not be ignored.

Why She’s So Sharp with Ron

Her relationship with Ron is especially charged because, in many ways, they’re both fighting for the same thing: respect. Ron feels like the overshadowed youngest brother, constantly compared to the successful older ones. Ginny feels like the invisible baby sister, struggling to be seen as more than a fragile little girl. When those frustrations collide? Fireworks.

• Ginny’s Insults to Ron: There’s a meanness in how Ginny talks to Ron sometimes, calling him immature, mocking his romantic failures. But isn’t that rooted in her own frustration? She sees herself as stronger and more mature because she’s had to grow up faster under the weight of being underestimated. To Ginny, Ron represents everything she’s trying not to be: uncertain, insecure, and overshadowed. Maybe tearing him down is her way of asserting her own independence.

• Ron’s Dismissiveness of Ginny: On the flip side, Ron tends to treat Ginny like a child long after she’s proven she isn’t one. He’s protective in a way that’s both loving and condescending. From Ginny’s perspective, it must feel infuriating, especially when she’s lived through things (like the Chamber of Secrets) that none of them fully understand.

Their friction isn’t just sibling rivalry, it’s a fight for autonomy, for recognition. They’re both clawing to be seen as themselves, not as the roles their family casts them in.

Her Distance from the Older Brothers

Ginny’s relationship with Bill, Charlie, and Percy is more distant, partly because they were already grown or gone by the time she came into her own, but also because she probably felt like she had to perform around them.

• Bill and Charlie: They’re the “cool, successful” older brothers, and it’s easy to imagine Ginny hiding parts of herself when they’re around. She likely admires them but knows they don’t see her fully. With them, she probably leans into the role of the “feisty little sister”, a persona that is real, but not the whole truth.

• Percy: This relationship is particularly interesting because, in some ways, Ginny might understand Percy more than the others. Both of them want to be taken seriously in a family that doesn’t always make room for that. But where Percy chose rules and ambition to carve out his identity, Ginny chose rebellion and strength. You could imagine her feeling a mix of pity and judgment toward him, maybe she sees his rigidness as a cautionary tale.

Molly’s Suffocating Expectations

Molly’s love for Ginny is intense. As her only daughter, Ginny represents all of Molly’s hopes and all of her fears. There’s a sense that Molly wants to protect Ginny in a way that feels both maternal and controlling.

• Overprotection After the Chamber: After Ginny’s trauma in her first year, I imagine Molly becomes even more protective. But for someone as strong-willed as Ginny, that kind of coddling feels like a prison. It probably explains a lot about why Ginny pushes boundaries, dating older boys, joining the DA, fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts. She needs to reclaim her power after losing it so completely to Tom Riddle.

• The “Perfect Daughter” Ideal: Molly also likely has a vision of who Ginny should b (kind, ladylike, the future wife and mother) and Ginny pushes against that every chance she gets. Her boldness, her sarcasm, her refusal to be "sweet" in a conventional sense is a direct rejection of Molly’s expectations.

I imagine Ginny feels both loved and trapped by her mother. She’s proud to be a Weasley but unwilling to be defined by her family’s image.

Ginny’s Hard Edges – A Defense Mechanism

A lot of Ginny’s harshness, especially toward her brothers, can be read as self-defense. She’s had to be tough to survive:

• The Chamber of Secrets: Ginny’s first year is marked by profound isolation and violation. No one, not her family, not even Harry, really understands what she went through. That trauma likely shapes her fierce independence. She won’t let herself be vulnerable like that again.

• Living in the Shadows: Imagine being the seventh Weasley. By the time Ginny reaches Hogwarts, every teacher, every student has already met a Weasley sibling. She’s probably constantly compared: to Bill’s brilliance, Charlie’s bravery, Percy’s ambition, the twins’ humor, Ron’s friendship with Harry. Being tough, being bold, and refusing to conform is her way of saying: I am not just another Weasley.

Why This Makes Her Relationships More Complex

Ginny’s complexities make her relationships richer and more meaningful:

• Her Love for Harry: With Harry, Ginny starts as an infatuated child but grows into an equal partner. Part of why she doesn’t coddle or chase him is because she’s tired of being dismissed herself, she refuses to play the role of "adoring girlfriend." She demands to be seen as an equal, not a prize.

• Her Bond with Fred and George: They treat her with the most respect, maybe because they also reject the family’s rigid roles. But even here, Ginny’s wit is a weapon. She has to be sharp to survive their teasing. In some ways, her humor is an armor she learned from them.

• Her Loyalty to the Family: For all her rebellion, Ginny loves her family fiercely. She stays and fights in the DA. She risks her life in the Battle of Hogwarts. She pushes back against her family’s labels not because she doesn’t love them, but because she wants them to love the real her.

The Heart of Ginny’s Story

At its core, Ginny’s arc is about fighting to be herself in a family where it’s easy to be swallowed whole. She’s bold because she has to be. She’s sharp because the world won’t make space for her softness. And beneath all that fire? A girl who wants to be loved for who she truly is, not the image others impose on her.

And maybe that’s why she’s so fascinating because in her struggle to be heard, we see both her strength and her vulnerability

[aventurineswife]

So idk how to make a request. So I hope this is ok??

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNeT75Hpt/

Hear me out a fic about this Aventurine with mermaid reader , and he captures her. I’ll leave the rest to you, so you have your freedom when writing 🫶

Don’t fell pressured :)

Beneath the Waves, Beyond the Game

Summary: Aventurine, a flamboyant and cunning pirate, thrives on risk and games of chance, but his life takes an unexpected turn when he captures you—a mysterious, defiant being of the sea—after your haunting song lures his ship to wreckage. What begins as a clash of wills slowly evolves into a fragile bond, as shared vulnerabilities and unspoken understanding unravel the masks you both wear. Amid storms, trust, and bittersweet goodbyes, the game between the gambler and the mermaid changes them both in ways neither anticipated.

Tags: Pirate!Aventurine x Mermaid!Reader, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn Romance, Captivity & Freedom, Pirate/Mermaid Dynamic, Forbidden Connection, Emotional Vulnerability, Found Family Themes, Bittersweet Ending.

Warnings: Themes of Captivity and Loss of Autonomy, Emotional Manipulation (Light), Storm/Peril Scenes, Brief Mentions of Betrayal and Guilt, Melancholy/Bittersweet Tones.

A/N: Y'ALL ARE FAST AFF!! 😭😭

[Part 2]

Aventurine had always thrived on risk, gambling with lives, fortunes, and fate itself. The sea, for all its temperamental fury, had always been his ally—a rolling canvas of danger and opportunity. Yet nothing in his decades of games and gambles had prepared him for you.

You were sprawled across the floor of his private quarters, your tail shimmering with iridescent hues as seawater pooled beneath you. The moment he'd heard your song—a haunting melody that echoed through the mists and lured his ship to the wreckage of a treasure-laden galleon—he knew he couldn’t let you slip back into the ocean’s embrace.

You glared at him now, your once-melodic voice reduced to silence, replaced by a defiant scowl. Aventurine lounged in his throne-like chair, one leg crossed over the other, his flamboyant coat draped behind him like a cape.

"Do you make it a habit to lure ships to their doom, or am I just special?" he drawled, adjusting his jeweled eyepatch with deliberate flair.

You said nothing, your shimmering tail flicking once against the wooden floor, splashing droplets onto his polished boots.

He chuckled, leaning forward, the feather in his hat catching the low lamplight. "Silent treatment, is it? Fair enough. I've always enjoyed a challenge."

You clenched your fists, your lips pressed into a thin line. Your freedom was gone, and this man—this gaudy, insufferable pirate—seemed to delight in your captivity.

Weeks passed aboard the ship, and the game between you and Aventurine began in earnest.

He spoke to you daily, spinning tales of his exploits, offering you trinkets from his plunder, and even playing games of chance where the stakes were your freedom. You refused every gamble, your pride unyielding even as your curiosity grew.

In turn, you sang only when you thought he couldn’t hear—a mournful tune carried by the waves. But Aventurine always listened, his sharp mind piecing together fragments of your story.

"You sing of loss," he said one night, his voice unusually soft. He stood at the door to your makeshift prison, his silhouette framed by moonlight. "Of betrayal. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you?"

You flinched at his words but said nothing.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You think I don’t know what it’s like to be trapped, to have your fate decided by others?" He tilted his head, his eyes glinting like twin flames. "But I broke free. And so will you—if you’re clever enough to play the game."

For the first time, you spoke. "You don’t understand the sea’s bindings, pirate. My freedom isn’t yours to give."

The slow burn of trust began with small acts. Aventurine loosened your chains, allowing you to roam the deck under guard. You, in turn, offered him warnings of treacherous waters ahead, saving his ship from disaster more than once.

"You’re not like the stories," you admitted one evening, your voice hesitant.

"Flattered," he replied, grinning. "But you’d be wise to keep your guard up. I play to win, and I always do."

"Always?" you challenged, meeting his gaze.

His grin faltered for the briefest moment, but he recovered quickly. "Luck’s been kind to me so far."

Yet you saw through his bravado. Behind the jewels and theatrics was a man haunted by choices, a survivor who carried his guilt like a hidden scar.

The breaking point came during a storm. The ship was battered by relentless waves, its crew scrambling to secure the sails. Aventurine himself took the wheel, his usual calm replaced by a rare intensity.

When a rogue wave threatened to sweep you overboard, he abandoned his post to pull you to safety, his hand gripping yours with a desperation that surprised you both.

"Don’t you dare die on me." he hissed, his voice cracking.

For the first time, you saw him without his mask—a man terrified of loss.

The aftermath of the storm left the ship battered but intact. Aventurine found you sitting on the edge of the deck, your tail dangling in the water.

"You saved me..." you said softly.

He shrugged, his usual grin forced. "Couldn’t let you take all my secrets to the deep, now could I?"

But you weren’t fooled. Slowly, you reached for his hand, your touch tentative but firm. "Thank you."

He stared at your joined hands, his guarded expression faltering. "You’re not supposed to thank me," he muttered. "I’m the villain here, remember?"

"Villains don’t bleed for their captives," you countered, your voice steady.

The ending was bittersweet.

Aventurine kept his promise, releasing you near a hidden cove where the sea glittered like liquid sapphire.

As you slipped into the water, you turned back one last time. "You’ll always be playing, won’t you?"

He smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "What can I say? The game’s the only thing keeping me afloat."

"Then I hope you win, pirate." you said softly, your voice carrying the weight of unspoken understanding.

And with that, you disappeared beneath the waves, leaving Aventurine standing alone on the shore, the ocean stretching endlessly before him.

[ephe-y]

gsgw thoughts abt ghost stories and work, spoilers up to abt ch 200

it's really interesting to me how faithful gsgw is to its premise, ie "dropped into a ghost story, still gotta work." kse, upon getting dropped into the wiki world, is immediately put to work at daydream. and whenever he gets put into a ghost story, he's somehow caught up in work in some way or another. even the ones more disconnected from his work at daydream/the bureau still incorporate the idea of "work" in some way. to wit:

- brauns tv show arc has kse work but at specifically brauns tv show

- the second theme park visit involves kse becoming the manager of the yellow zone

- the old daydream facilitys main purpose narratively so far seems to be producing potions for kse so he can more effectively clear ghost stories (work). he also gets dream essence from the ghost stories he clears as part of his work. notably its ability to make wish potions (absolve him from work) is removed

- the arm marketplace (and associated marketplaces) are also places where kse obtains items he uses generally for work purposes. there are occasions where its not just for work (e.g. purging of mental contamination) but id argue that all roads lead to more work (no mental contamination = get more dream essence = get better at work). the illusion of free choice.....

- mountain lodge involves a lot of invocations of kse's job, including baek saheon and the constant references towards them being coworkers. also involves kse hiring another employee (the keeper), and features ryu jaekwan, who is there bc of his own job

- pretty much every other ghost story is entered and cleared as part of kse's work at daydream and the bureau

as a result, gsgw sets up a really interesting association betwen ghost stories and work.

gsgw is also notably pretty critical of capitalism and its various workplaces. daydream is obvious, but even the bureau is still pretty toxic as far as workplaces go, considering factors like its one-man clear teams, low pay, and lack of active personnel compared to daydream. the most obvious evidence is how go youngeun, while working at the bureau, still manages to find herself under a shitty boss and dragged around without her input, showing how it really isnt that different from daydream.

hell, even ghost story workplaces arent spared the criticism. at the theme park, kse is still subjected to toxic workplace politics and despite being a manager, still doesnt have full autonomy. he also, before leaving, has to unwillingly tie a part of himself down to the theme park. at brauns tv show, although kse likes what hes doing, hes also not spared constant working hours with no sleep or food and pressure from his boss to act in line.

interestingly enough, too, kse's most major ghost story contaminations are often also in line with "work." the manual contamination involves becoming a teacher at the hangman ghost story. when hes contaminated at the theme park, he specifically attempts to become a "good mascot of the yellow zone." the story usurper cult contaminant takes the form of a daydream janitor and the implication is that hes become an initiate (ie. a worker) in the cult. the fourth floor looky mart contamination is abt becoming an employee at looky mart. not him, but still notable.

the reason i mention this is because the association between work and ghost stories is likely to be very intentional. personally i find this very funny because in a way, gsgw implies that working sucks as much as being a coward in a ghost story. (considering that kse used to work in finance, id also believe that.)

its also really interesting to me in how its horror-based setting also implies this. specifically, in how horror manifests in psychological paranoia that carries over beyond the horrifying experience itself (e.g. kse's nightmares), and also how kse can find himself randomly dropped into a ghost story without warning (mountain lodge, train to tamra). it reflects how toxic workplaces follow someone outside of the workplace itself. not just always being on call, but also the stress and lack of joy those kinds of things can put someone under that negatively impacts them outside of work itself.

this association reframes kse's desire to leave as not only the desire to leave the ghost stories behind, but to also return to a life without the stress of an unhealthy work environment. but of course we know that even without ghost stories, toxic workplaces are still commonplace. we see this in every place that kse's worked at, where the horror of the workplace doesnt just lie in the ghost story association, but also in mundane factors, like weird hours, scummy bosses, toxic politics, dead-end positions, and high-stress environments. kse's shitty mental state isn't from ghost stories but rather absurd demands from his dictator-like boss who has total control over not only his life, but the lives of the people he cares about.

he even finds comfort in a ghost story bc the way the world narrows to living or dying is a break from the mental pressures at work. really loving the implication that work sucks MORE than nearly dying to a cult. baek deoksoo you will always be legendary for this

anyway the point im trying to make is that bro is NOT leaving behind the ghost stories. if you get dropped in the ghost story you work and its starting to seem like if you work youre basically in a ghost story rip to kse but your cowardly ass is NOT escaping the Horrors </33

[whereserpentswalk]

You run a halfway house for robots and cyborgs who've escaped their masters. It's technically illegal to keep a sentient being under your control, but it's so easy to get away with in most places. Your city is one of the only places with labor laws that allow for a halfway house like yourse to even exist, and your city is still filled with robots bound to masters.

You tend to just call them robots. Some are technically cyborgs. The only difference between the two is if they used to be human, technology and biology are so intertwined most robots have some fleshy bits. Cyborgs are those who were trafficked, forced to sell themselves, or exploited after injuries to get where they were. Robots were mostly created as property, but it's far from unheard of for free robots to be kidnapped. You don't ask anyone's origins unless they freely give it, and you understand why some would lie, so you see no reason to question their stories.

You're main goal is too help the robots in your care learn that they're people with individuality and autonomy. You try to prevent anything that encourages them to view themselves as obeying you. Rooms lock from the inside. They're allowed to leave whenever they want. There's basically no set schedule. It's important that those under your protection are aware that they aren't your property. Earlier on when you had more rules you quickly learned that so many in your care are too egar too obey, and that it's too easy to cause them to think of you as a new master. There are security concerns, but if a master wants to take back their robot, there's really not much you can do to stop them.

There's also teaching them that they don't have to work. It's important that even basic chores are never things that those in your care are forced to do, and that they don't even feel pressured into volunteering. A lot of outsiders, even people who donate to your organization, act as if it's causing laziness for you to do that. But they don't realize what dealing with beings who were forced to work is like, most of your robots come to you having been told they're morally required to work themselves to death for their masters, them deciding that they don't want to do chores is a big step in improvement.

You try to give them things like art classes and other creative pursuits to encourage their creativity. It helps letting them learn to express themselves, and also can eat up the feeling a lot of them have that they need to work. You make sure none of your instructors grade them, as long as they're expressing themselves they're doing well.

Everyone always assumes you're taking care of a lot of combat robots or sex robots. But the vast majority of robots you take in had less exciting jobs, office robots, factory and warehouse workers, personal servents, agricultural robots. Robots who have been forced to work that way are thought about less, and sympathetized with less, but their trauma is just as real, often just as serious. You're not sure weather an invisible trauma is better then a visible one, for as many former sex robots or former combat robots appear as tragic backstories in movies, there are a lot of people who criticize your organization for "helping murders and prostitutes".

Of course, there are a few former sex or former combat robots who you've taken care of. For robots who've been sexually exploited its very important you teach them that their boundaries deserve to be respected, and that nobody should touch them without their consent. Former combat robots are much different depending on if they were guards, soldiers, or assassins, but nomatter what it's important to help them come to terms with their actions, understand that they aren't inherent evil or dangerous.

It's always great to see robots leave your care peacefully. Robots who are ready to fully exist in society and live on their own after what happened to them. Some of them stay in touch with you. Sometimes you'll run into one on the street. It's nice to know that they're safe, that they're on, that some of these stories do have happy endings.

[mariacallous]

History tells us that all freedoms are conditional. In 1920, the Soviet Union became the first country in the world to legalize abortion, as part of a socialist commitment to women’s health and well-being. Sixteen years later, that decision was reversed once Stalin was in power and realized that birth rates were falling.

The pressure on all nations to keep up their population levels has never gone away. But in 2025, that demographic crunch is going to get even crunchier—and the casualty will be gender rights. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, the rate at which babies are being born has been plummeting for 15 years. In Japan, Poland, and Canada, the fertility rate is already down to 1.3. In China and Italy, it is 1.2. South Korea has the lowest in the world, at 0.72. Research published by The Lancet medical journal predicts that by 2100, almost every country on the planet won’t be producing enough children to sustain its population size.

A good deal of this is because women have more access to contraception, are better educated than ever, and are pursuing careers that mean they are more likely to avoid or delay having children. Parents are investing more in each child that they do have. The patriarchal expectation that women should be little more than babymakers is thankfully crumbling.

But the original dilemma remains: How do countries make more kids? Governments have responded with pleas and incentives to encourage families to procreate. Hungary has abolished income tax for mothers under the age of 30. In 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was seen weeping on television as he urged the National Conference of Mothers to do their part to stop declining birth rates. In Italy, Premier Giorgia Meloni has backed a campaign to reach at least half a million births a year by 2033.

As these measures fail to have their intended effect, though, the pressure on women is taking a more sinister turn. Conservative pro-natalist movements are promoting old-fashioned nuclear families with lots of children, achievable only if women give birth earlier. This ideology at least partly informs the devastating clampdown on abortion access in some US states. Anyone who thinks that abortion rights have nothing to do with population concerns should note that in the summer of 2024, US Senate Republicans also voted against making contraception a federal right. This same worldview feeds into the growing backlash against sexual and gender minorities, whose existence for some poses a threat to the traditional family. The most extreme pro-natalists also include white supremacists and eugenicists.

The more concerned that nations become about birth rates, the greater the risk to gender rights. In China, for instance, the government has taken a sharply anti-feminist stance in recent years. President Xi Jinping told a meeting of the All-China Women’s Federation in 2023 that women should “actively cultivate a new culture of marriage and child-bearing.”

For now, most women are at least able to exercise some choice over if and when they have children, and how many they have. But as fertility rates dip below replacement levels, there is no telling how far some nations may go to buoy their population levels. 2025 looks to be a year in which their choice could well be taken away.