Abortion is one of those hot-button issues that are difficult to have a conversation around. Inflammatory remarks are tossed left and right regarding abortion, even from parties that aren’t familiar with the topic. With abortion bans being a reality in many places in the world and further encroaching on others, Kistein Monkhouse has taken it upon herself to explain why abortion bans harm us negatively with her short film, “The Cost of Abortion Bans.”
Filmed in a documentary style, “The Cost of Abortion Bans” is a hard-hitting romp that aims to clear up common misconceptions about abortion. Acknowledging the typical cultural bashings of those against the idea, it takes a subtle, factual approach to reproach the concept of abortion. For women worldwide, “The Cost of Abortion” is an essential short film that aims to fight for their rights with the power of knowledge.
So, join us as we take a closer look at how it breaks pre-conceived notions on abortion, as well as the harm abortion bans, can bring to the economy at large.
How “The Cost of Abortion” Uses Logic, Facts, and Sympathy to Change Minds
The short film wastes no time getting into the actual gritty details of why and how banning abortion will harm countries and their economies. Backed by solid, factual evidence, “The Cost of Abortion” keeps itself informative and exciting by constantly moving to new ideas and facts without losing sight of its original goal.
It addresses the effects that banning abortion can have on the general population. As the narrator guides us through the average cost of pregnancy, childbirth, and post-care, it posits how over 13,800 parents may have to pay between $1,000 to $2,500 a month, with the insurance providing the rest. All this while pushing forward with workforce participation. It takes a significant chunk out of their income and harms their ability to grow their options.
Things become even more damning when considering how women aged between 15 to 24 from low-income and low-education households are the most susceptible to unplanned pregnancies. Not being given the autonomy to abort harms these women, often leading to poverty. Even for those that break into the workforce, workplace protection policies only apply to those with college degrees.
For businesses, studies showed that maternal and pregnancy leave laws are responsible for 105 billion dollars in annual losses by state and local economies. Bumping down productivity is not desirable for any business, and this shows how there are stakes, not just for women but for every party involved. The economic impact is felt in all facets of society, and the financial losses automatically translate to costlier healthcare and education fees.
We haven’t even mentioned the public perception that a dwindling economy can generate. Clearly, having all of these issues highlighted shows how abortion bans can cause waves in various sectors. “The Cost of Abortion Bans” promotes the bigger picture, asking its viewers to think more sharply about the ideas at play.
Breaking Free from Stigma for a Better Future
“The Cost of Abortion Bans” is an important short film. It gives the viewer a different perspective, one that garners sympathy as it brings up talk points and ideas that many may have never thought of. It brings in real women, sharing their thoughts and experiences on the issue to bring the topic to the forefront. It even levels its views for people outside of its demographic, showing a willingness to help everyone understand.
Cinematically, “The Cost of Abortion” keeps its pacing brisk. It moves from point to point seamlessly, wasting no time with needless semantics. It only slows down when it needs to provide a different viewpoint, typically from one of its guest speakers.
Unsurprisingly, the short film has garnered much attention for its message and ideas. The effect of “The Cost of Abortion” was so impactful that it won the “Best International Short Film on Women” award from the Triloka Film Festival. Kistein Monkhouse, the director, and brainchild behind the short film, would also go on to take the “Best Female Director” at the same film festival.
Who is Director Kistein Monkhouse?
Kistein Monkhouse, M.P.A. is an ardent fighter of women’s rights, public health, and is the mind behind Patient Orator. The startup addressing health inequities by helping people record their health symptoms and social needs to improve
patient-provider communication and care coordination. Outside of these endeavors, she’s hard at work as an asset to her community.
Between being an advisor for the Community Service Society of New York’s We the Patient’s NY Initative, a board member for the Society of Participatory Medicine, and contributing to various initiatives aiming to improve health outcomes, she’s someone who’s put her being into helping others at every turn. Even with “The Cost of Abortion,” she’s putting her best foot forward to help women in need, showing sincerity in her message.
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