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Comstock Act
Under the Comstock Act, birth control information or distribution is deemed an obscenity. There could be no information concerning birth control made publically available. This includes prohibiting advertisements, mailing, or any other information that could be distributed to women. -
Contributing factor
As the industrial revolution began to bring in new, more diverse members of society to the United States, a growing fear of promiscuity and sexual freedom led to suspicions of women’s sexual intentions. Anthony Comstock, the proponent of the law, argued for the law to be passed to “suppress vice” and lobbied for it in the New York State Legislature. Eventually, the law was passed and Comstock was appointed as a high worker of the Post Office. -
Birth control no longer obscene
The Comstock Act is no longer applicable to birth control advertisements in the US, and birth control can be publicized. Some women can now buy diaphragms and use them as legitimate forms of birth control. However, birth control is still illegal in most states. -
Contributing Factor
This particular achievement was possible due to the help of famous birth control activist Margaret Sanger, who rallied on behalf of helping women make choices concerning their reproductive rights. Sanger argued that birth control was essential for women because it allowed them to plan their futures and actually choose whether they wanted to be mothers. Additionally, she facilitated sexual education for young women that contributed to better information about reproductive issues. -
Griswold v. Connecticut
The case decided the “right to privacy”- i.e. individuals can make decisions on personal matters. Most importantly, it signified a new era for birth control, as the court deemed that it was unconstitutional to prohibit the use of contraceptives. Now married couples could also use contraceptives if they desired to. -
Contributing Factor
As in many other states, Connecticut prohibited the distribution of contraceptives to married couples due to its social stigma and it illegality. Griswold, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood in Connecticut, was illegally supplying couples with information about birth control as well as medication. This case was socially relevant because it came at a time where women secretly sought out birth control methods in order to control their reproductive rights. -
Contributing Factor
After the second wave of feminism, which began in the 1960s, women felt both empowered and emboldened to continue seeking reproductive and personal freedom. Although the case of Roe v. Wade was not a feminist cause in its origins, the feminist movement was greatly impacted by Roe v. Wade because it confirmed a woman’s right to choose her own future. Additionally, it gave women the right to privacy of making their own decisions with their own bodies. -
Roe v. Wade
This is easily the most recognized case in women’s fight for reproductive rights. The Supreme Court gave women the right to privacy concerning reproductive rights, which symbolized a dramatic step towards control of their own bodies. Under Roe v. Wade, women could now legally and safely begin to have abortions. This sparked an increased role of women fighting for more reproductive rights. -
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Although there were many steps forward in reproductive issues, not everything was positive. For example, in this case the Supreme Court decided that it is within state's jurisdiction to limit abortion rights. Specifically, Missouri retained the right to not allocate state funds or facilities to facilitate abortions for women. -
Contributing Factor
Societal positions on abortion influenced new positions on cutting back equal access to abortions for women. During the 1980s, a new conservative mindset began to prevail US opinion as President Raegan cut back on social welfare programs and began to emphasize a more conservative standpoint. As a result, women's reproductive issues were affected by these new policies.
