Does History Repeat Itself? Since the begging of time, women have always been judge harshly and have had certain standards and requirements held against them, that are presented to the community as expectable behavior for women. Women have struggled for independence and rights throughout history and currently in some places in the world; where women are limited to certain activities, political and religious beliefs. “The pill” and plan b which are oral contraception pills or also known as birth control, contributed immensely on the dramatic change of the social and sexual landscape in the United Stated and other counties in the world. It forever changed the fate women where always protrude to carry out thought their lives and certainly empowered woman but as well in a lot of cases seemed to have lowered the high classy standards women followed. The first birth control pill aka The Pill” went out into the markets in the 1960’s. Distinct from other type of contraception at that time it was reliable and managed by the women herself allowing neither the approval nor awareness of the women’s sexual partner. Women had finally gained power over their own fertility. “The pill” made the sexual revolution of the 1960’s possible; although controversial it certainly changed the consequences and morals of sexual activities. In the 19th century having sex with a woman meant marriage and kids in the future that all changed when birth control came out. Birth control lowered the amount of unwanted pregnancies and marriages. Before women could fully take advantage of birth control and the liberty of the sexual revolution it remained illegal in some states. The Supreme court in 1965 ruled Connecticut’s1879 anti- contraception statue to b... ... middle of paper ... ...men to have control of their fertility but the significance of the two drugs seem to have ironically have different meanings then before. Could it be that our society is getting used to the idea of women and their rights as well as role they play in our society today, or that our morals and beliefs have changed over time? Either way birth control and plan b has changed our society and empowered women allowing them to have a choice. Works Citied Cohen, Nancy. “How the Sexual Revolution Changed America Forever.” Counterpoint Press. 5 February, 2012. Web. 25 May. 2014 Cohen, Sandy.”Birth control pills helped empower women, changed the world.” Copley News Service, 17 July. 2005. Sunday. Web. 25 May. 2014. “Plan B: Questions and Answers - August 24, 2006; updated December 14, 2006.” FDA. 8 August, 2013. Web. 26 May, 2014.
"A free race cannot be born" and no woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother"(Sanger A 35). Margaret Sanger (1870-1966)said this in one of her many controversial papers. The name of Margaret Sanger and the issue of birth control have virtually become synonymous. Birth control and the work of Sanger have done a great deal to change the role of woman in society, relationships between men and woman, and the family. The development and spread of knowledge of birth control gave women sexual freedom for the first time, gave them an individual identity in society and a chance to work without fearing they were contributing to the moral decline of society by leaving children at home. If birth control and Sanger did so much good to change the role of women in society why was birth control so controversial?
In today’s practice there are several options to consider for contraception. Multiple different birth control pills, intrauterine devices, vaginal rings, implants, and injections are viable options. The development of the first oral contraceptive A male non-hormonal contraceptive polymer is in the process of gaining approval which will empower men to have equal say and responsibility in preventing pregnancies outside of the use of prophylactics. The impact of Margaret Sanger’s activism is reflected outside of birth control measures in today’s medical practice. Sexually transmitted diseases and infections have been a serious problem for a significant amount of time. However, the efforts of Margaret Sanger along with others has impacted how society approaches sexual education and testing. Programs such as Planned Parenthood and the general acceptance of birth control measures have changed the nursing process greatly and in general, the way we live
When legally introduced to society in 1960, the Pill stirred up a long period of controversy. The availability of the Pill had great impact on women’s health, social life, laws, religion, family, relationships, morality and sexuality. Initially conceived to be highly effective and safe, the Pill left many women with side effects – few which led to several fatalities. Before the Pill was created, many women postponed sex due to the social norm and fear of becoming pregnant before marriage. Families grew large and it was typical for a woman to have multiple children caused by the lack of birth control. Due to regulations, such as the Comstock laws, many people supported the prohibition of the Pill and other family planning practices. However, many women believed in the right to control their own body when it came to procreation. Despite the controversies, the Pill left lasting impacts, such as by opening society to the sexual revolution and...
Subsequently, the provided documents on the birth control movement did show the push and pull factors of the complicated and multifaceted debate. Americas push towards industrial growth, and technology demanded that the subsequent progressive reforms were needed for a society ushering in a new era. At the same time, fear and reluctance to abandon tradition and religious custom acted as the pulling factor. The birth control debate was a complicated and heavily charged debate teemed in religious, social, political, and racial rhetoric. Historical documents help shed new light on the things taken for granted today, even the most seemingly innocuous things like birth control were fought for, so that men and women today could be in charge of their own destinies.
All social classes of women suffered from the ban on birth control devices and information. Though, the working class suffered the most. Working class women were poorly educated and had little to no access to health care and their cultural and religious beliefs taught them to be obedient and to not deny sex to their husbands.[6] Though, they were “Denied information from the medical establishment on birth control and fearing contraception as well, made working-class women resort to crude and often deadly methods of abortion to end their unwanted pregnancies.” [6] Dangerous self-induced abortions led to death, permanent damage and/or comas. Without Progressive activists like Sanger and Goldman, women would not have the sexual freedoms that they have today. The birth control movement forced Americans to open their eyes and see the need for contraceptive devices and educational information pertaining to their bodies. Birth control meant freedom for women. The freedom to decide when was the right time for them to have children and to decide how many children they wanted to have. Birth control clinics educated women about their bodies and gave them choices in the matter of pregnancies. Clinics gathered extensive research and information, which led to greater advances and knowledge in the medical
Birth control pills gave women the right to be in charge of their own conception or lack thereof.
The following year the ban on contraceptives was called off and doctors could now legally prescribe birth control. (499) But this didn't mean that women were now running to get a prescription form of birth control, they still preferred other methods. Many women could not afford prescriptions or did not live close enough to a clinic. Convenience, affordability, and discreetness was still what women looked for when choosing a form of birth control. New laws in 1938 that governed medical devices had little impact on commercially sold birth control products because they were still being sold as vaginal cleansers. Women came to depend on “feminine hygiene” products more than any other method of birth control even well after the pill was developed in
Birth Control has always been a topic of controversy in America, generating large opposition and actions to regulate it. The regulation of any form of birth control was made final with the Comstock Act being passed in 1873 that was a, “federal law that made it a crime to sell or distribute materials that could be used for contraception or abortion”. This act created by and enacted by Anthony Comstock, caused a long and troubling path for feminists attempting to break the patriarchal society and gain the freedom to control their own bodies and choices. The virdict was supported throughout the years and by the 1950s many opinions of religious people, political persons, and most men who accepted traditional gender roles continued on the path of
The first form of birth control came in the form a pill and was approved by the FDA in 1960(qtd in Gladwell ) The pill was said to be the safest form of birth control because it was safe and said to be a natural form of birth control. John Rock was a well know man around the community. Loretta McLaughlin writes, "It was his name and his reputation that gave ultimate validity to the claims that the pill would protect women against unwanted pregnancy.”(qdt in Gladwell) Even back then, with all the research that they set out to do the pill was still know to cause cancer in young women, not only cancer but the miscarrying of children shortly after taking the pill.
The approval of the birth control pill, commonly referred to as the Pill, in 1960 sparked a sexual revolution among the American youth resulting in the rejection of traditional sexual
In Canada in the early 20th century birth control was a highly contentious issue. Before 1929 birth control was an obscene, immoral and unnatural topic. It was broached only by the odd feminist or left-wing group. Section 179c (substituted by Section 207 in 1900) of the 1892 Criminal Code made the sale or advertisement of contraceptives an indictable offense up until the Code was amended in 1969. During the years 1930-1936 the mindset of Canadians began to shift toward approval of the use and legalization of contraceptives. This movement originated from middle-class Canadian concerns over population and the economic stability of Canada along with concerns over maternal health. Many women involved in the movement argued women had a right to birth control and the control over their own bodies, this view however was overshadowed by the economic and social arguments presented by the leaders of the movement. Throughout these years there was much opposition to the legalization of birth control. The proponents of birth control were equated in the minds of many with either sexual radicals or reactionary Malthusians. The Roman Catholic Church opposed birth control vehemently because it allowed for the separation of sexuality and procreation. It is argued that the birth control movement stemmed from the Depression in the 1930’s.
...uld now happily chose to enter into at her discretion. With education about about birth control, women began to experience a completely new level of control in their lives. With this control, women found themselves being better mothers, happier lovers, and better people overall.
“When a motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become the foundation of a new race." (Margaret Sanger, 1) Margaret Sanger, known as the founder of birth control, declared this powerful statement. It is reality that the rights that are customary for women in the twentieth century have been the product of the arduous physical and mental work of many courageous women. These individuals fought for the right for women to be respected in both mind and body by bestowing on them the rights to protect their femininity and to gain the equivalent respect given to men. A remarkable woman named Margaret Sanger is the individual who incredibly contributed to the feministic revolution that took place in the 1920’s. Her legacy of making the right to use birth control legal for woman is a precedent in history for the foundation of the equal rights battle that is still being fought today. By giving control back to the women in their sexuality, Margaret Sanger also restored confidence in those women who felt that their lives revolved around pregnancy. She has become an influential icon to women all around the world who enjoy the security of birth control that gives them the freedom in their sexuality on a daily bases.
The female birth control pill became available to the public in 1961. During that time period the acceptance of women sexuality was becoming more common; however, critics felt that the pill promoted unnecessary female sexual behavior. The fact that a woman could partake in casual sex without worrying about becoming pregnant was an issue amongst many people in society. Although premarital sex was not completely shunned as it was a couple decades previous to that time, many still felt as if a woman should not enjoy multiple sexual relationships. Women were expected to only act or feel sexually toward one man who she was in a serious relationship with. With that being said, the grounds for accepting the use of female contraceptive...
"People and Events: The Pill and the Sexual Revolution." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.