In the early 1900s ,contraception was viewed as immoral and a taboo subject. Progressive women argued that contraception was a healthy source of population control.The birth control movement of the modern and Progressive Era had a positive effect on women because of the education on contraception,allowing women to enter the workforce, and improving women’s health. Margaret Sanger was an integral part of this movement especially with her educational pamphlet. Reformers fought for contraception education. Prior to their efforts, the Comstock Act of 1873 banned women from receiving treatment or proper educational pamphlets to prevent conception (8). Comstock received authority from Congress to arrest practitioners or women in possession of such
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Although abortion was illegal in the United States, on average 5 to 10 thousand women died from back alley abortions from 1900 to 1930 (3). Only upper-class women could afford to find professionals, while other women used dangerous methods such as blunt trauma or herbal supplements to cause a miscarriage(13). Medical professionals originally were against birth control, however reformers such as Fania Mindell and Ethel Bryne rallied the public to get more research. In June 1937, the American Medical Association declared it a necessity to teach physicians about the use of contraceptives (12). Since the American Medical Association certifies physicians, doctors were now able to distribute contraceptives without losing their license. This prevented women from injuring their sexual organs or from getting deadly vaganal infections due to more accessible contraceptive alternatives(6).
The birth control movement has made positive strides on behalf of women. Women such as Margaret Sanger and Ethel Bryne defied the law in order to publicise sexual education to the public sphere. The movement also allowed women to enter the workforce. Not to mention, getting the support of the physicians improved overall women’s health. The fight still continues as in an attempt to make birth control more accessible, the Reproductive Rights Movement is petitioning to force health care companies to cover birth control
Although abortion was illegal in the United States, on average 5 to 10 thousand women died from back alley abortions from 1900 to 1930 (3). Only upper-class women could afford to find professionals, while other women used dangerous methods such as blunt trauma or herbal supplements to cause a miscarriage(13). Medical professionals originally were against birth control, however reformers such as Fania Mindell and Ethel Bryne rallied the public to get more research. In June 1937, the American Medical Association declared it a necessity to teach physicians about the use of contraceptives (12). Since the American Medical Association certifies physicians, doctors were now able to distribute contraceptives without losing their license. This prevented women from injuring their sexual organs or from getting deadly vaganal infections due to more accessible contraceptive alternatives(6).
The birth control movement has made positive strides on behalf of women. Women such as Margaret Sanger and Ethel Bryne defied the law in order to publicise sexual education to the public sphere. The movement also allowed women to enter the workforce. Not to mention, getting the support of the physicians improved overall women’s health. The fight still continues as in an attempt to make birth control more accessible, the Reproductive Rights Movement is petitioning to force health care companies to cover birth control