History of Birth of Control

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History of Birth Control

Inadequate knowledge on issues on sexuality led to the fact that women were ignored on such issues in the US and even across the globe. It has been difficult, over the decades, to distinguish between sex and child bearing factors. Sex matters were difficult to analyze except when the women subordination was acknowledged. In essence, even historical traditions and philosophies cannot adequately explain issues of sexuality. In nomadic communities, for example, small families were valued due to frequent movements of such families in search of pasture for their animals. Several human right groups and individuals raised various concerns on the need to develop birth control method in order to protect and uphold the integrity, morality and dignity of women (Bollough 28). This led to the development of social justice movements, which received sharp criticisms from the clerics. The social justice movements developed ideologies and aspirations which triggered political conflicts.

As explored by Gordon (25) and Critchlaw (15) the birth control movement developed through four stages, with defined ideologies in each stage. The first stage, according to Gordon, was “voluntary motherhood”. This was advocated for by the feminists in the mid 19th century. It basically laid emphasis on liberty, freedom of choice and the autonomy of women. It widely addressed the plight of women on issues of subordination and sexuality.

The second stage was between 1910-1920. This was the stage of “birth control”. This stage introduced a totally different ideology of birth control. It rose beyond the first stage of radical social justice movements by advocating for the advance cross cutting issues of gender transformation and empowerment of the female sex. This term has since been accepted and used worldwide. This stage was also characterized by the intense campaign of the birth control as a fundamental issue which must not be ignored.

The third stage was between 1920-1970. This was the stage of “planned parenthood”. According to Gordon (25) this stage was majorly characterized by the transition from the radical social justice movement ideologies to that of the liberal reform movement ideologies. There was an intense advocacy for the choice and liberty of the parenthood planning methods. This stage was critical in the sense that it triggered political conflicts which, in essence, led to the legitimization of contraception, mostly in the United States.

The fourth stage, as discussed by Gordon (27) was that of “reproductive rights”. It developed through the 1980s into the modern times. This stage was majorly concerned with the issues of the preservation of the women and children life. This stage also received a major boost to its campaign in the 1990s. During this period, a large Christian rights group made a vicious attack on the issues of abortion. This led to the formulation of the “right to life” policy and slogan which was, in essence, a major boost in this fourth stage (Bollough 44).

In conclusion, since the social justice movement was about two centuries ago, birth control experienced a lot of social and religious stigma across the nations of the world (Gordon 29). Critical and crucial facts about birth control were distorted. As discussed by to Critchlaw (22) the United States birth control advocates served jail terms for allegedly violating laws. However, modern birth control movements have included aspects such as women empowerment as well as social and economic justice and liberty. By extension, the freedom of expression, speech and even democracy have been enhanced worldwide.

Works cited

Gordon, Linda. The Moral Property of Women: a history of birth control politics. USA: Grossman Publishers, Penguin Books, 2002. Print.

Bollough, Vern. The Encyclopedia of birth control. California: ABC-CLIO, 2001. Print.

Critchlaw, D. T. The politics of abortion and birth control in historical perspective. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1996. Print.