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Our Bodies, Our Crimes: Exploring the History of Reproductive Rights & the Fight for Control Over Our Own Bodies

Troy Simmons

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Published in Our Bodies Our Crimes: The Policing Of Women S Reproduction In America (Alternative Criminology 16)

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Our Bodies Our Crimes: The Policing of Women s Reproduction in America (Alternative Criminology 16)

Our Bodies, Our Crimes: The Policing of Women’s Reproduction in America (Alternative Criminology Book 16)

by Jeanne Flavin

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1090 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	423 pages

From the moment we are born, our bodies are subject to scrutiny, regulation, and control. For women, this control has been particularly pervasive, as our bodies have been seen as public property, to be managed and controlled by the state and by men.

The history of reproductive rights is a long and complex one, full of struggle, setbacks, and victories. It is a story of women fighting for control over their own bodies, and for the right to make decisions about their own reproduction.

The Early Days of Birth Control

The fight for reproductive rights began in the late 19th century, with the advent of new methods of birth control. Before this time, women had little control over their fertility, and many were forced to have children they did not want. The development of birth control gave women a new sense of freedom and control over their own lives.

However, the fight for access to birth control was not an easy one. In the early 20th century, birth control was illegal in many states, and women who were caught using it could be arrested.

Despite these obstacles, the birth control movement continued to grow, and in 1960, the Supreme Court ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut that married couples had the right to use birth control. This was a major victory for reproductive rights, and it paved the way for the legalization of birth control for all women in 1972.

The Fight for Abortion Rights

The fight for abortion rights has been even more contentious than the fight for birth control. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that women have a constitutional right to abortion. This decision was a major victory for reproductive rights, but it has been under attack ever since.

Anti-abortion activists have used a variety of tactics to restrict access to abortion, including passing laws that require women to get parental consent or undergo mandatory waiting periods before they can have an abortion.

In recent years, the fight for abortion rights has become even more intense. In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the constitutional right to abortion. This decision has had a devastating impact on women's reproductive rights, and it is likely to lead to a decrease in the number of abortions performed in the United States.

The Ongoing Fight for Control Over Our Bodies

The fight for reproductive rights is not over. Women are still fighting for control over their own bodies, and for the right to make decisions about their own reproduction. This fight is not just about abortion. It is about the right to control our own bodies, our own lives, and our own futures.

There are many ways to get involved in the fight for reproductive rights. You can donate to organizations that support abortion access, you can volunteer your time at a local clinic, or you can speak out against laws that restrict access to reproductive care.

No matter how you choose to get involved, your voice matters. The fight for reproductive rights is a fight for all of us. It is a fight for our bodies, our lives, and our futures.

The history of reproductive rights is a history of struggle, setbacks, and victories. It is a story of women fighting for control over their own bodies, and for the right to make decisions about their own reproduction. This fight is not over, but we have come a long way. We have won the right to birth control, and we have won the right to abortion. We will continue to fight for our reproductive rights, because they are essential to our freedom and our equality.

Our Bodies, Our Crimes: The Policing of Women’s Reproduction in America (Alternative Criminology Book 16)

by Jeanne Flavin

4.9 out of 5