Andie
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hello! A question about contraceptive implants on Barrayar - could women make these medical decisions for themselves, or was a husband or father's permission required? (To either get, or remove, the implant?) This might influence decisions for certain of my favourite couples who are betrothed but not yet married. There are references such as "observing the traditions, at least, as far as Mama and Da know ..." TY!
Lois McMaster Bujold
The answer to this question would have changed through time and local polities (countships). Before the end of the Time of Isolation, it wasn't a question that could even be asked, as the tech did not exist. The disruptions of the Occupation and its war would have prevented anyone focusing on such issues, but the tech would have been leaking slowly out from the more to the less developed areas. In general, it's something that would be left to families, not taken up in legislatures -- this could be good or bad.
The law tended to skirt around "women's work". So it's more likely any permissions would be the purview of the mother rather than the father, for girls. Remember, minor girls are by default in the legal custody of their mothers, not their fathers.
By Gregor's reign, empire-wide "galactic standard", i.e., Cordelia-driven, customs of leaving the decision to individuals (so yes, the women) would prevail. (And do remember, that's not the only contraceptive on the market, tho' likely the most reliable -- older methods would also remain in circulation.) Celibacy (for women) would remain a lingering social ideal long after it had become medically moot, I expect. The way it does.
Ta, L.
The law tended to skirt around "women's work". So it's more likely any permissions would be the purview of the mother rather than the father, for girls. Remember, minor girls are by default in the legal custody of their mothers, not their fathers.
By Gregor's reign, empire-wide "galactic standard", i.e., Cordelia-driven, customs of leaving the decision to individuals (so yes, the women) would prevail. (And do remember, that's not the only contraceptive on the market, tho' likely the most reliable -- older methods would also remain in circulation.) Celibacy (for women) would remain a lingering social ideal long after it had become medically moot, I expect. The way it does.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Stephen McKee
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
If you were writing the Vorkosigan books for the first time in 2022, do you think you'd still choose to refer to hermaphrodites like Bel Thorne as "it" or would you use "they/them" instead? If so, have you thought about maybe doing an updated edition of the books to reflect this? I think the use of "it" is a bit jarring to modern readers.
J C
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
One of my favorite things about Barrayar (the book) is how Aral maintains personal moral integrity in a situation where there is no "good", just "really bad" and "slightly less bad". I am interested in Aral's time as Regent during the Komarr Revolt, and how he maintains his own moral center through a nihilist conflict; also, since I'm wishing, one day I hope you can finish the sequel to Falling Free?
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