Modern Bearings

June Osborn, the main protagonist in the series The Handmaids Tale that is based on the Margaret Atwood novel, hands over a child to Emily, a former foe shaped by false assumptions. Wide-eyed, Emily takes the child and looks at June expecting her to join her in her escape. Rather, June steps back, closes the door, and then knocks on the door signaling  the driver to drive off. You see, June is one of the many Handmaids in Gilead, formally the United States, who are victims and hostages of the Sons of Jacob Commanders and their wives. June was kidnapped and was forced into a nightmare she so desperately wants to escape but she is met with a recurring problem, she needs to find and save her daughter who was also taken. There are many themes within this show but one theme/issue that kept sticking out to me was the fact that June had multiple chances to flee and find freedom but she was unable to as with any mother, she was determined to save her daughter. Not only could she not leave in hopes of saving her daughter, she also had to comply with the horrors she was facing, or in turn, the higher-ups would harm her child. This made me think of the recent discussion of the declining birth rate that is taking place across the globe. Many world leaders and think tanks are raising concerns and are stating that their main focus is to ensure that countries and communities continue by endorsing pronatalism. I can understand the push to preserve civilizations but with the rise of the cost of living, healthcare, and a myriad of other issues, it is understandable why many are hesitant to start a family. But what if the continuation of communities and traditions isn’t the only ‘why’? What if the full reason for the push for people to have children is a bit more sinister? 

Serena Joy, the antagonist of the story puts June in the back of the car and takes her to an undisclosed location. Once at their destination, Serena steps out of the car and walks up the stairs of a stone building where she is met by Hannah, June’s daughter whom she hasn’t seen since her abduction. Serena returns to the car and in so many words tells June that if she doesn’t comply or decides to go against the grain, her child would be in danger. Many individuals on various platforms are also questioning the recent push of pronatalism and are raising the point that when people have children, they are easier to control. Let’s think about it – you have a little one at home that is growing, who needs protection, and a roof over their head. One would be less likely to rock the boat whether it be at work or against policies that they may not agree with. Many countries allow certain freedoms including the freedom of speech and the freedom to protest but many of those same countries seem to be pulling back these freedoms whether it be by arresting individuals for posting Memes of political figureheads or by getting violent with protestors in the street. Though many parents are on the front lines and are speaking up for various issues regardless of the risks involved, many are not, and it maybe due to the fear of losing their livelihood and not being able to provide or be there for their families. Now this isn’t a piece to persuade people to not start families. I think families and a start of a new life is a beautiful thing. And there are various reasons for the push for kids, whether in good faith or not that I hadn’t discussed. But just watching how June had to turn away freedom time and time again and had to stay silent and endure horrors to ensure that her daughter was safe really shook me and made me think of how many voices that remain silent and how many people are still in fears of retaliation that could affect their little ones – and I think the players of the World Stage, whoever they maybe, are aware and are betting on this as well. 

-J