Opinion: France's Changing Perception of America

Euny Hong, a journalist and author based in Paris, is the writer of three books, including "The Birth of Korean Cool." The opinions shared here are her own. For more viewpoints, visit CNN.

America continues to hold significant influence globally, although not necessarily in the desired manner. In the past, many countries aspired to emulate America. However, since the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, America has, for some nations, become a cautionary example of what to avoid.

French senator Laurence Rossignol described the Roe v. Wade decision as "an electric shock." She, also the vice president of the women's rights delegation of the senate, noted that after this landmark ruling, the fight for the constitutionalization of abortion was no longer confined to underground feminist groups.

Coincidentally, I had a gynecological appointment in Paris yesterday, where I reside most of the time. During this visit, French legislators were in the process of making history by voting 780-72 in favor of including abortion rights in the country's constitution, making France the first nation to do so.

I assumed the doctor would be focused on the vote all day. Excitedly, I asked her in French, "What do you think about the abortion rights issue?"

She responded, "C'est fou, hein?" (It's crazy, yeah?) I agreed with her. However, it became clear that we were discussing different topics. She went on to say, "Trump wants to reverse abortion rights. Unbelievable."

“Oh!” I said, “I meant about how France is writing abortion rights into the Constitution.”

Lawmakers sit on Monday prior to a vote on whether to add the freedom to have an abortion to the French constitution.

Lawmakers sit on Monday prior to a vote on whether to add the freedom to have an abortion to the French constitution.

Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

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"Is that all?" she said with less enthusiasm. "To me, that's just the usual. This is simply how things are. I thought you were referring to America." She shook her head. "When I was younger, moving to America was my dream. But now? Not anymore."

If that conversation doesn't show how much America's reputation has declined internationally, I don't know what does.

Since its beginning, the US Constitution has been admired worldwide. French statesman Alexis De Tocqueville praised it in his important works "Democracy in America" in the 1830s and 1840s. Even countries like post-Spanish-American War Spain, pre-Communist China, and some post-colonial African republics took inspiration from the US Constitution in forming their own governments.

Throughout much of the 20th century, the United States was seen as a shining example of a modern democracy. After playing a significant role in defeating fascism and communism, the nation became a model for political openness and progressiveness. Its influence extended beyond just popular culture, such as music and fashion, to its democratic values that were both envied and imitated globally.

When Barack Obama was elected US president in 2008, my French friends and colleagues were amazed and jealous. One of my colleagues even remarked, "You guys have a Black president. France will never have a Black president."

Similarly, when the #MeToo movement started in the US, French women felt empowered to start their own #MeToo movement. And after the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minnesota police officer in May 2020, the French community drew inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement and showed their support through protests in solidarity with their American counterparts.

When it comes to women’s rights, things can be quite surprising. France only legalized abortion in 1975, which was later than the US. However, French women were able to open their own checking accounts as early as 1965. In comparison, American women had to wait until 1974 to have the same right.

Woman hold placards reading "My body, my freedom" (L) and "my body my choice" during a rally to support women's right to abortion on the occasion of the International Safe Abortion Day in Paris, on September 28, 2023.

Women in Paris gathered on September 28, 2023, to show their support for abortion rights. Holding placards that read "My body, my freedom" and "My body, my choice," they made their voices heard during a rally on International Safe Abortion Day. The powerful images captured by Tomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images showcased the determination and unity of these women in fighting for their rights.

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When it comes to the Constitution, all bets are off. The proceedings yesterday took place at the palace of Versailles and included members of both the lower and upper houses of Parliament — as is the custom for constitutional votes.

Since 1958 — the beginning of the Fifth and current republic — this unified Congrès has voted on constitutional changes 24 times, with 21 of those changes being approved and added to the French Constitution. The US has had more changes — 27, per the White House — but that’s covering the entire history of the Constitution, i.e. well over two centuries.

I often hear Americans refer to their Constitution as a "living, breathing thing," but in reality, it is more rigid than many realize.

The vote on Monday, which was broadcasted live, was incredibly emotional. Rossignol made a powerful statement that resonated with many: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity; and today, you have allowed me to add, Sorority."

Claude Malhuret, a senator, doctor, and former head of Médecins sans frontières (Doctors Without Borders), shared a story that deeply impacted him. As a young doctor, he was shocked when two police officers brought a teenage girl before him, suspecting her of infanticide when she had actually undergone a botched abortion.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the moral responsibility we have towards women who have suffered due to illegal abortions. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), he acknowledged that as a man, he will never understand the physical pain and life-threatening risks associated with abortion in the past.

Even the Eiffel Tower was adorned with large, illuminated phrases: #MonCorpsMonChoix — my body, my choice; “#abortolegal.”

I attempted to envision how a comparable event would unfold in the United States, but I simply cannot. The idea is so unbelievable that if I dwell on it any longer, my mind may implode.

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I cannot imagine the nation’s most emblematic monument bearing a pro-choice slogan that was mounted by public officials and not an activist group.

It's hard for me to picture a former doctor who is now a politician talking so openly about a particular abortion, especially when mentioning how the girl's neighbor found "the cadaver of a newborn."

Above all, I find it difficult to imagine any male US senator, and especially someone in a position similar to that of a prime minister, acknowledging that as a man, he doesn't fully grasp the extent of female suffering.

France still faces issues with sexism and misogyny, which are too many to cover in just one column. However, when compared to present-day America, France seems like a feminist utopia that would only exist in Greta Gerwig's Barbie world.

Editor's P/S:

The article presents a sobering perspective on the decline of America's global standing, particularly in the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade overturn. The author's personal experience with a French gynecologist highlights the stark contrast between the way abortion rights are perceived in France and the United States. France's recent constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights stands as a testament to the country's progressive values, while the United States grapples with a backward slide.

The author's inability to envision a similar event unfolding in the United States exposes the deep divisions and political polarization that have plagued the nation. The United States, once a beacon of democracy and progress, has become a cautionary tale, its former ideals and influence diminished by internal strife and a retreat from global leadership.