Mom’s Powerful Twin Photo Proves That Motherhood Doesn’t Stop You From Following Your Dreams
155Kviews
In a recent interview with German newspaper Tagesspiegel, artist Marina Abramovic suggested that having children would have ruined her creativity. “I had three abortions because I was certain that it would be a disaster for my work,” she said. “One only has limited energy in the body, and I would have had to divide it.”
But Hein Koh, a Brooklyn-based artist, has recently responded to Abramovic’s comments by posting a picture of herself working on her Instagram and Facebook pages while simultaneously breastfeeding her twins. “When my twins were 5 weeks old and despite the sleep deprivation and frequent (every 2-3 hours, 24-7, 45 min at a time) breastfeeding, I was still getting shit done,” wrote Hein. “Marina Abramovic thinks children hold women back in the art world, but as @dubz19 put so aptly, “FUKKK THAT”.” Read on for the full message.
More info: Facebook | Hein Koh (h/t: babble)
“Somehow as a man you are allowed to have kids and still be perceived as driven in your career,” said Hein. “While if you are a woman who has a child, people think of it as a huge sacrifice,” she observes. “The new family models are changing — mothers don’t necessarily have to be the primary caretakers anymore. With a more even distribution of responsibilities, and a support system — support is key, and I recognize it is a privilege — women can still have children and be successful in their careers.”
“I’ve pieced together a schedule that allows me to spend time with the kids for at least a few hours every day, but also have at least a few hours to myself to work in my studio or do other things that I need to do,” she notes. “Childcare is a privilege, and unfortunately many moms and artists don’t have that. That being said, I understand how fortunate I am and I don’t waste time.”
“We all have to do what we think is best for ourselves and our families,” she continues. “I’m just trying to live my life, and I know I have limitations but I’m doing the best I can. People should just leave moms alone, and mind their own business. Especially other moms, who are always the first to judge. Regardless of our individual choices, women should support other women, and lead by example rather than attack. That’s the kind of culture I want to promote.”
155Kviews
Share on Facebook
!["Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her"](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/coworker-complains-to-hr-about-womans-body-revenge-latest.jpg "\"Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her\"")
Most people wouldn't be very creative after weeks of sleep deprivation. And read a couple of article doubting whether humans can really be multi-tasking and effective at the same time. Just saying. Having abortion is normal, having children is normal as well. But I really hate people telling 'If I can do it, you can do it as well, if X was good for me it's gona be good for you'. People actually do differ.
I agree, but she can still be an inspiration and an example to those who want to both have kids and a career. Also, kids or no kids, busy artists get sleep deprived too, and it's hard the first few weeks, yeah, but then, somehow, people find additional strenght and learn to move on. Abortion is indeed as normal as having kids, but three abortions? I won't criticise her for her life choices, afterall, contraception isn't flawless, but makes you having doubts... Anyway I wish the best of succsess to both artists.
I'm not sure it's fair to say that you can work and look after newborns. It really all depends on the baby or babies. Some babies are utterly high need and if you don't have external help, you don't even have time to take a shower.
Yes, Angélique, you're totally right, but I said "those who", which means, as you pointed out, that depending on the baby, the parents and thw situation, some peoplw can, and choose to do so. Also, depending where you work, you can take maternity leave, and go back to work when your child is old enough for a babysitter. It is all difficult, but solutions do exist.
I had twins myself, and this lady's response is irritating and disingenuous. She is skipping the shots of the babies rolling right off that breastfeeding pillow, and spitting up on that expensive Macbook Air...the mastitis and neverending thrush...being able to put them in a dual carrier only works until about six months old, because two gets very, VERY heavy after that, way too much for one person...and I'm guessing by the way she acted like 24/7 sleep deprivation is no big deal she did not have a c-section (as often happens with twins) or colicky babies. How nice! Memo from the rest of us: shut up.
THREE abortions is not normal, unless normal equals a complete lack of responsibility
Even one abortion is not normal! What is wrong with people who think that it is?! I guess it's okay if you're not the one being killed..... People are so messed up nowadays. "Save the Whales", "Save the Animals"....how about, "Save the Children"!! smdh!
Amen to that
Having an abortion is anything but normal...
Having an abortion is not normal, there are to many forms of contraceptives to choose from. Surely an educated, liberated female is savvy enough to ensure that she does not have an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy. Again abortion is not a form of contrception
This article is great and kudos on ur job, kid and everything. Clearly you have found the perfect balance. But the artist Marina Abramovic is entitled to her own views and live her life without being judged by 'supermoms'. Its a sad reality that our society still looks down on women who have abortions, its her body and her right. If she is not ready for a baby and everything it entails that doesn't make her a bad person.
Marina Abramovic can have no kids, that is her right. Every women has a right to choose to have no kids and a career, or twenty kids and a career or no career. However; in this day and age it is NOT necessary for any women to have three abortions. It has nothing to do with anybody being a super mom. An abortion IS a termination of a life like it or not. Women in the Western world have an unlimited supply of contraception and choice. If she is really against children why doesn't she just get steralised and she will never have to worry about getting pregnant again. It has nothing to do with being religious or a super mum however; it does have something to do with being responsible and having a moral barometer, and a totally unnecessary surgical risk three times over. Even abortions carry a risk in the procedure.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
An abortion is just getting rid of a pluricellular mass similar to a tumor. Life starts way after the limit time of abortion. Stop being sissies.
Why would anyone have to prove anything? Of course you can have kids and work, of course you can work and not have kids, of course you can have no kids and no work...no sorry...that's not good. Anyway Koh is doing great, good for her, Abramovic doesn't want kid now, good for her too. Just one personal comment: abortion isn't a contraception method. I understand people that's doesn't want children, I understand people that abort whatever the reason. But there is better ways of preventing to have children...
You'd have to be pretty naiive to think that abortion equates as birth control.... These things do happen. Birth control fails on a regular basis! Condoms fail regularly, and the other options are hormonal or really intrusive procedures! People are careful, but our options are often limited, and its all a game of chance. I say bring male contraceptives to the market! And maybe abortions would not be happneing quite as frequently as they sem to be...
Well said.
I totally agree!
Most people wouldn't be very creative after weeks of sleep deprivation. And read a couple of article doubting whether humans can really be multi-tasking and effective at the same time. Just saying. Having abortion is normal, having children is normal as well. But I really hate people telling 'If I can do it, you can do it as well, if X was good for me it's gona be good for you'. People actually do differ.
I agree, but she can still be an inspiration and an example to those who want to both have kids and a career. Also, kids or no kids, busy artists get sleep deprived too, and it's hard the first few weeks, yeah, but then, somehow, people find additional strenght and learn to move on. Abortion is indeed as normal as having kids, but three abortions? I won't criticise her for her life choices, afterall, contraception isn't flawless, but makes you having doubts... Anyway I wish the best of succsess to both artists.
I'm not sure it's fair to say that you can work and look after newborns. It really all depends on the baby or babies. Some babies are utterly high need and if you don't have external help, you don't even have time to take a shower.
Yes, Angélique, you're totally right, but I said "those who", which means, as you pointed out, that depending on the baby, the parents and thw situation, some peoplw can, and choose to do so. Also, depending where you work, you can take maternity leave, and go back to work when your child is old enough for a babysitter. It is all difficult, but solutions do exist.
I had twins myself, and this lady's response is irritating and disingenuous. She is skipping the shots of the babies rolling right off that breastfeeding pillow, and spitting up on that expensive Macbook Air...the mastitis and neverending thrush...being able to put them in a dual carrier only works until about six months old, because two gets very, VERY heavy after that, way too much for one person...and I'm guessing by the way she acted like 24/7 sleep deprivation is no big deal she did not have a c-section (as often happens with twins) or colicky babies. How nice! Memo from the rest of us: shut up.
THREE abortions is not normal, unless normal equals a complete lack of responsibility
Even one abortion is not normal! What is wrong with people who think that it is?! I guess it's okay if you're not the one being killed..... People are so messed up nowadays. "Save the Whales", "Save the Animals"....how about, "Save the Children"!! smdh!
Amen to that
Having an abortion is anything but normal...
Having an abortion is not normal, there are to many forms of contraceptives to choose from. Surely an educated, liberated female is savvy enough to ensure that she does not have an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy. Again abortion is not a form of contrception
This article is great and kudos on ur job, kid and everything. Clearly you have found the perfect balance. But the artist Marina Abramovic is entitled to her own views and live her life without being judged by 'supermoms'. Its a sad reality that our society still looks down on women who have abortions, its her body and her right. If she is not ready for a baby and everything it entails that doesn't make her a bad person.
Marina Abramovic can have no kids, that is her right. Every women has a right to choose to have no kids and a career, or twenty kids and a career or no career. However; in this day and age it is NOT necessary for any women to have three abortions. It has nothing to do with anybody being a super mom. An abortion IS a termination of a life like it or not. Women in the Western world have an unlimited supply of contraception and choice. If she is really against children why doesn't she just get steralised and she will never have to worry about getting pregnant again. It has nothing to do with being religious or a super mum however; it does have something to do with being responsible and having a moral barometer, and a totally unnecessary surgical risk three times over. Even abortions carry a risk in the procedure.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
An abortion is just getting rid of a pluricellular mass similar to a tumor. Life starts way after the limit time of abortion. Stop being sissies.
Why would anyone have to prove anything? Of course you can have kids and work, of course you can work and not have kids, of course you can have no kids and no work...no sorry...that's not good. Anyway Koh is doing great, good for her, Abramovic doesn't want kid now, good for her too. Just one personal comment: abortion isn't a contraception method. I understand people that's doesn't want children, I understand people that abort whatever the reason. But there is better ways of preventing to have children...
You'd have to be pretty naiive to think that abortion equates as birth control.... These things do happen. Birth control fails on a regular basis! Condoms fail regularly, and the other options are hormonal or really intrusive procedures! People are careful, but our options are often limited, and its all a game of chance. I say bring male contraceptives to the market! And maybe abortions would not be happneing quite as frequently as they sem to be...
Well said.
I totally agree!