The Handmaid's Tale (2017 TV Series)

[Kevin]

Agreed. Perhaps The Handmaid's Tale should have been adapted and produced in the native languages of one of those countries. Now THAT would have been a revolutionary act, rather than producing it for a nice, safe western market where we can all endure stale histrionics about "The Patriarchy."

[Arthur Staaz]

Quote Originally Posted by Shadenuat

There are parts of the world, like Saudi Arabia or parts of India, where this is indeed everyday reality for women without any hope of that changing anytime soon. And Saudi elite tends to be extremely well educated, often in the most prestigious Western institutions... And, people don't realize how easy it is for societies to slide into this in spite of all.

True for countries where there is no strong tradition of self-government and republican institutions. But I can't think of one country in the West that has backslid into a patriarchal theocracy. And I believe many are, indeed, talking about the show and book as timely in America's current political context.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

Are abortion laws really in a good or secure state in America?

There are communities in the west that are pretty miserable for women still. Not just immigrant communities either. Once heard of a chemist in Texas who shouted at a girl who tried to buy birth control for a related health problem.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

Thanks, I was beginning to wonder why some were sounding so comfortable about the situation. Science Fiction tends to exaggerate aspects of the present because sometimes that's an effective way of discussing them and potential futures. It doesn't really deal much with an accurate version of the present.

If extremist scum like Richard Spencer can get respectability in a relatively short time then who knows what else can happen in a few years.

If only these anti-abortion people cared so much about the well-being of those who've come out the womb.

[Hidden X]

Far right went from inhabiting the thinnest edges of society to being major political power around the western world in a matter of few years. So yes, it can very much happen here.

Christianity is also very much alive and kicking and it still presents a threat, sadly. People limited to urban areas tend to be ignorant of that and, as always, then project their surroundings to the rest of their respective countries.

[Hidden X]

Quote Originally Posted by Shadenuat

There are parts of the world, like Saudi Arabia or parts of India, where this is indeed everyday reality for women without any hope of that changing anytime soon. And Saudi elite tends to be extremely well educated, often in the most prestigious Western institutions... And, people don't realize how easy it is for societies to slide into this in spite of all.

Pointing fingers at others is far easier than cleaning one's own house...

[Arthur Staaz]

Quote Originally Posted by bendk

But women need not worry. This is just an unrealistic dystopian fantasy scenario. It can't happen here.

You seem to presume that a real woman supports abortion on demand. So, the woman in the photo you provided must just be dupes of the patriarchy. Were they more properly enlightened, they would of course recognize they are in chains and would unfailingly support abortion on demand.

A part of the reason a substantial portion of women voters voted for Trump (BTW, I did not vote for Trump.) may be that they're a little tired of being told that they have to have the proper (orthodox) attitude towards "women's issues". Other, very reasonable points of view may exist regarding these issues. And sometimes in some places these points of view prevail. This does not equal theocratic patriarchy or anything approaching it. (Either that or prior to Roe v. Wade we lived in a theocratic patriarchy in the US.)

[Hidden X]

Real Woman (TM) would never support Abortion On Demand (TM). I would know that, as I keep one such in my kitchen, for sandwiches, coffee and other, less christian, purposes.

[Arthur Staaz]

And yet none of what I said has been refuted. Oh well.

[Arthur Staaz]

This seems to be going nowhere, so I'll say just one more thing. We could actually engage with the ideas discussed rather than simply being dismissive. I disagree with you, but I wish you the best.