As the 2024 U.S. presidential election draws near, a surprising issue has taken center stage: women’s bodies and their choices around childbirth. In past elections, we’ve seen immigration, healthcare, and the pandemic dominate the debates, but this year, it’s the conversation around women’s autonomy over their reproductive choices that’s stealing the spotlight.

During last night’s debate, major topics like the economy, immigration, and foreign policy were front and center, but one subject stood out: abortion. Kamala Harris delivered a passionate defense of abortion rights, highlighting the dire consequences of restricting access for women facing medical emergencies. She made it clear that she blames the rollback of abortion rights on Donald Trump and his administration.

Trump, in return, denied Harris’s accusations, reaffirming his belief in limited exceptions for abortion—rape, incest, or saving the life of the mother. It was a heated exchange that touched not only on women’s right to abortion but also on a broader question: who gets to decide what happens to a woman’s body?

Enter Taylor Swift

As the debate unfolded, an unexpected voice joined the conversation: Taylor Swift. After the debate, Swift posted a statement on Instagram, calling herself a “childless cat lady”—a direct response to comments made earlier in the campaign about women without children. Swift’s post, while lighthearted, spoke to the broader societal pressure on women to become mothers and the judgment they face when they don’t.

Her post quickly became a viral moment, but the conversation took a turn when Elon Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter). In a surprising comment, Musk quipped, “Fine, Taylor, you win. I’ll give you a child and guard your cats with my life.” While the comment may have been intended as humor, many were taken aback by its condescending tone, raising uncomfortable questions about the entitlement men sometimes feel to comment on women’s reproductive choices.

Elon Musk and the Politics of Parenthood

Musk’s remark wasn’t made in isolation. The billionaire, who has 12 children with multiple women, has often shared his views on population growth, warning about a supposed “population collapse” and promoting the idea of having more children as a solution. Musk has framed his prolific fatherhood as a public service, saying things like, “I’m doing my part” when asked about his large family.

But Musk’s quip to Swift touched on a larger issue: the way powerful men—whether politicians or public figures—feel comfortable inserting themselves into conversations about women’s reproductive choices. Musk’s comment, though meant in jest, is part of a broader narrative in which women’s decisions about whether or not to have children are subject to public scrutiny and control.

Reproductive Rights as a Political Tool

This issue isn’t limited to Musk. Donald Trump, who previously suggested he would support a national abortion ban, has used reproductive rights as a political tool. Last night, he dismissed Harris’s concerns about abortion, accusing her of exaggerating the risks and the stakes. Yet, Trump’s previous stance on the issue signals a willingness to restrict women’s reproductive autonomy when it suits his political agenda.

And this isn’t just a Republican phenomenon. Joe Biden, despite his Catholic faith and historic opposition to abortion, has had to balance his personal beliefs with the political realities of leading the Democratic Party. He has publicly supported reproductive rights as a constitutional matter, but his discomfort with the issue has been apparent throughout his career.

What’s clear is that women’s bodies are often at the center of political debates—whether it’s abortion, contraception, or childbearing itself. Politicians, overwhelmingly male, routinely use women’s reproductive choices as a means to advance their agendas. Yet, the impact of these policies disproportionately affects women, who bear the brunt of restrictions on their bodily autonomy.

The Global Stage: Women’s Reproductive Rights Under Attack

This issue isn’t unique to the U.S. either. Around the world, women’s reproductive rights are a political battleground. In France, President Emmanuel Macron pushed for abortion rights to be enshrined in the constitution—a move seen by some as an attempt to win favor with voters. Meanwhile, in Poland, abortion was banned under the right-wing government in 2020, a decision that sparked massive protests. Now, the new prime minister is looking to reverse the ban, showing just how politically volatile this issue can be.

Even in countries where abortion is legal, women’s choices are often framed in political terms. In 2016, when Theresa May was running for UK Prime Minister, her opponent used her childlessness against her, implying that May had less of a stake in the future of the country because she was not a mother. It was a low blow that many women are all too familiar with: the assumption that being a mother is a woman’s highest calling, and without children, her contributions are somehow less meaningful.

The Burden of Childlessness

For women who choose not to have children—or who are unable to—the societal judgment can be harsh. Taylor Swift’s playful reclaiming of the “childless cat lady” stereotype is just one example of how women are often labeled when they don’t conform to traditional expectations. Terms like “old maid” or “selfish” are thrown at women who don’t have children, while men in the same position face little scrutiny.

This societal pressure is just one facet of a larger problem. Not only are women expected to have children, but they’re also expected to shoulder the majority of childcare and unpaid labor at home. Meanwhile, men like Musk, who have large families, are often celebrated for their fatherhood without being expected to participate fully in the everyday responsibilities of raising children.

Women’s Bodies Are Not Political Tools

As the 2024 election unfolds, it’s clear that women’s reproductive rights will remain at the center of the political debate. But the issue goes beyond politics—it’s about recognizing that women’s bodies are not tools for political gain. Whether it’s Trump, Musk, or Biden, powerful men too often feel entitled to dictate what women should do with their bodies, while disregarding the personal impact of their policies.

Women should have the right to make their own choices—whether that’s about having children, accessing abortion, or deciding what’s best for their lives. The conversation shouldn’t be about what politicians think women should do, but rather about ensuring that women have the freedom to make those decisions for themselves.

The Path Forward: Policies that Empower Women

If anything, this debate highlights the need for policies that actually support women and families, instead of using their bodies as political battlegrounds. Access to affordable childcare, paid family leave, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare are the kinds of policies that can make a real difference in women’s lives.

Ultimately, women’s reproductive choices should be theirs alone—not something dictated by politicians or public figures. Whether a woman chooses to have children or not, it should be respected, not politicized. In the end, society should focus less on judgment and more on creating a world where women’s choices are supported and their rights are upheld.