The daily journey on the Madrid Metro by a seven-month pregnant woman has become an exhausting experience, reflecting deeper societal problems. The lack of offered seats and the overcrowding of public transport are merely the tip of the iceberg of a situation affecting the quality of life in the region.
The article identifies three main reasons for the rarity of seeing pregnant women on the metro. The first is the degradation of the Madrid Metro service, marked by disruptions, interruptions, and a significant reduction in trains and frequencies. This situation, described as a political strategy to dismantle public services, leads to long waits and unbearable overcrowding.
The second reason points to the housing crisis, which has been turned into an international financial asset. The impossibility of accessing decent and nearby housing hinders family planning and child-rearing, leading to a reduced presence of pregnant women in public spaces like the metro.
The third cause, and the one directly experienced by the protagonist, is the lack of connection and citizen empathy. Indifference towards the elderly, pregnant individuals, or those with other needs, partly attributed to the saturation of screens and digital content, reveals a disconnection from the surrounding reality.
The text advocates for attention and care as forms of rebellion and solutions to these issues. This involves focusing attention on others, regaining the ability to listen to citizens' needs, and managing collective prosperity, particularly through public services that are currently at risk of extinction.
