The Birth Control Movement Essay Example

During the progressive era, many new motives were introduced with the objective to put an end to outdated reforms and policies, one of the most prominent being the birth control movement. Birth control, though it may not be the safest contraceptive, is a more common and reached out practice as it can be deemed more morally and ethically permissible in a reproductive aspect. Today the social position of contraceptives, such as birth control, has consistently made its connection to various social and political movements that interlocked with the issues of women’s role in society and reproduction. 

Contraception disregarding abortion, has its own faults and successes regarding the development of technology and the women involved. Birth control pills are also known as contraceptive pills, and since the early nineteenth century, they’ve been helping women avoid pregnancy. These pills are “made of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone , which control body functions” (Truven Health Analytics). Although birth control has advanced throughout the century, there are still disadvantages that weigh out the benefits. Some women may look at these disadvantages and still continue to advocate as so, or may look at them as a warning to stay away from contraceptives. The movement “worked on several fronts to legitimize the idea of family planning and improve the technology of birth control devices, making them widely available to all women” (Riggs, 2015). Since the early 1900’s, birth control has advocated for the option for women to have their own control over parenthood no matter the ethnicity, race, or class. Though that’s not always the case, oftentimes this form of service is not catered towards all women, especially the un-empowered or minority class. Major advocates such as Margaret Sanger and Emma Goldman, worked hard to be able to represent the unspoken and promote the importance of education of women anatomy and receiving full control  over their own body.

From the Birth Control Movement, the world began to see influential women activists take forward and have their voice heard. These individuals worked diligently to promote the usage and access of contraceptives, some “were attacked and even jailed for their public support of birth control” (Baughman). Margaret Sanger was one of the most influential activists when it came to the Birth Control Movement. She was held fully responsible for the development of the pill and advocated for women to have not only the rights but to learn about their own bodies. Sanger wanted to establish clinics where women would feel safe and comfortable to learn about birth control and planned parenthood. She believed that there should be nothing against the practice of birth control, it should be a basic human right; "Because," she added, "it is the logical and sensible and humane thing to do, law or no law"(The Day Book, 1). One instance of a case where law came face to face with Sanger is the Comstock v Sanger. The Comstock law made it illegal to send anything in the mail that was anywhere near related to birth control pills. In addition, it made it to where physicians were not allowed to learn bc (birth control) methods in school. So, “when Sanger opened her first clinic in Brooklyn in 1916, Comstock and his New York Society for the Suppression of Vice took it as a direct challenge" (Baughman). Sanger’s motive eventually surpassed Comstock as she was found not guilty and released of all charges, on the basis that the law was in violation of women’s privacy. Along with Sanger on this case was Emma Goldman, who advocated the importance of birth control to women and needed fight for sexual and economic equality. Her involvement came very vital at the time of the 1800’s as the progressive reform movement began to progress and spread all over the country. Especially in a time where many took the time to focus on the effectiveness of  contraception, and whether or not abortion was really morally or ethically permissible. 

As expected, with abortion comes the moral and ethics side of it where, even today, there is no direct answer that everyone could come in agreement with. Medical professionals have labeled abortion as selfish and immoral, often evolving it to humiliation or fear for women who seek it. The perception of medical association still affects how many in the twentieth century view or perceive abortion today. When asking about ethics, it is really questioning how abortion is benefiting and/ or harming women. If abortion were to contribute to the happiness of both men and women involved it is allowed to be labeled as morally permissible.  "If abortion is morally permissible, then to have an abortion may contribute to the authentic happiness of the women who choose abortion as well as the women and men who perform abortions or otherwise cooperate in obtaining abortions. If abortion is not morally permissible, then to have an abortion knowingly and willingly does not contribute to but rather undermines authentic happiness and human flourishing” (Kaczor). Along with the human status, the moral statuses of abortion also depends on said fetus, which leads to the biggest argument of whether or not abortion is murder. Though it certainly is not the only factor to determining the morality of abortion, it comes into focuses on the interest of the mother, father, and society as a whole. 

What has been achieved in the birth control movement and what has not been achieved, are significant in the development of women’s rights and ongoing debates. Today, the birth control debate is still a historically complicated and heavily imposed debate in all religious, social, political, and racial aspects of the world.