To the Contrary Season 19 Episode 40 March 4, 2011

To the Contrary is a talk show that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of any given week when it comes to women's issues, politics, and feminism. The show is hosted by Bonnie Erbé who poses questions to her panelists for women to examine deeper and to discover solutions. The episode for season 19, episode 40 was aired on March 4, 2011, and covered critical issues such as women's politics, advanced directives, the economy, and sex-selective abortions.

One of the topics covered in the episode is women's politics—specifically, the representation of women in politics. The panelists discussed how women's voices have been disproportionately muted and criticized their under-representation in political campaigns. They argue that women do not just need to have a presence on the ballot, but that their specific issues should be addressed through campaigns. Some proposed solutions include adopting policies that place more women in positions of power, addressing the pay gap, and bettering access to higher education.

Advanced directives are also discussed in the episode. The focus of the panel was on the importance of establishing end-of-life planning documents and how they benefit families after a loved one's death. They argue that having these documents in place benefits families by allowing a clear understanding of what their loved one wanted, while also preventing unnecessary financial strain or prolonging a loved one's pain due to an unclear understanding of their decisions.

Another critical topic covered is the economy and how it affects women. The panelists discussed the struggles women face when trying to find and keep jobs in industries often dominated by men. They also talked about the lack of paid maternity leave in the United States, which makes it hard for women to strike a balance between family and working life. Without access to paid leave, women are forced to return to work early, putting the duty of caring for children on family or paid childcare, which is often costly. The panelists propose adding paid maternity leave as a requirement for businesses and including protections that prevent discrimination against women due to pregnancy.

The episode also addresses the issue of sex-selective abortions. The topic was sparked after a study was published that found fewer girls than boys were born to immigrant groups in the United States. The panelists argued that this trend may be the result of sex-selective abortions overseas and a lack of education on gender equity. They highlight that sex-selective abortions are a form of gender-based violence that leads to societal discrimination against women, starting before a child is even born. The panelists also acknowledge that sex-selective abortions are often culturally motivated, and therefore may be hard to address. They propose a need for more campaigns and policies that support women's rights and gender equity education to discourage sex-selective abortions.

In conclusion, the episode of To the Contrary season 19, episode 40 covered numerous critical issues concerning women's rights, including women's underrepresentation in politics, the importance of advanced directives, struggles women face in the workforce, and gender-based violence related to sex-selective abortions. The panelists proposed possible solutions to these issues while also acknowledging that some of them may be difficult to address. Overall, the episode serves as an eye-opener to the current state of women's rights and highlights the importance of continually improving them.