Weekend Reading

I haven’t done one of these in awhile and I missed last Friday because I was working on the Ireland post. Now it’s Monday and I feel like this:

Lots of good stuff on the web this past week!

Feminism

• Fact: The U.S. is ranked #50 in the world for maternal mortality rates.
  Fact: Even though we spend $98 billion annually on hospitalization for pregnancy and childbirth, the US maternal mortality rate has doubled in the past 25 years.
  Fact: Our c-section rate is out of control, with some hospitals reporting up to 40%.
  Fact: The U.S. has one of the highest infant mortality rates among industrialized countries.
  Fact: Out of 178 nations, the U.S. is one of three that does NOT offer paid maternity leave benefits.

I hear a lot of talk about ‘family values’ in our political arena. I think a great way to support families would be by ensuring the health of the mothers and children, and allowing valuable bonding/recovery time after birth. No?

Fact: It sucks to have a baby in the U.S. Here is a chart that compares paid maternity leave around the world.

• The editorial board of A Practical Wedding rounded up their favorite feminist books. Lots of good titles here – I’ve read many of them as well!
• Reporter Tulip Mazumdar agreed to a photo shoot, then to have the images airbrushed using the same techniques that gossip/fashion magazines use. The results are crazy (and not in a good way). A fantastic, eye-opening article from BBC News.
• An intriguing and inspired essay in The Paris Review by Diane Mehta that deals with divorce, sex, and writing.

Funny Irish Things

(Can I go back across the pond yet?)

• Buzzfeed has a list of the most Irish things ever.
• This old but classic article from The Onion.

Entertainment

• Times when vandalism won – these are hysterical.
• There are a lot of marriage proposals on the internet, but this one felt so lovely and genuine.
• This is what Rowdy, Hiro, and I will be doing every night for the rest of our lives.
• Sir Anthony Hopkins sent a fan letter to the cast of Breaking Bad. It’s awesome!

Happy Monday folks.