Living Reproductive Politics: Legislating The Female Body in the Modern and Historical United States

In the United States, reproductive politics, specifically those surrounding abortion, are a divisive issue, and are often framed through the binary of pro-choice or pro-life. Though abortions typically end with one medical result, the termination of a pregnancy, for many abortions are defined and contextualized by the circumstances in which they occur. This research analyzes six women’s perspectives regarding abortion and how they experience the modern abortion debate as it continues to develop around them. Abortion is a common procedure, especially among minority groups and the lower classes, which has been contested publicly for decades. Fifty years removed from the original decision, the Supreme Court has now been encouraged by pro-life outcry and state legislators to bring Roe v. Wade back up to docket. For women, and in legislation, what is contested is not whether pregnancies can and should be terminated. It is the contexts in which it should be permitted, during what trimester, under what circumstances, if at all. The contestation surrounding reproductive politics is informed by the moral and legislative action throughout the history of the United States. These actions have made apparent the stark dichotomous debate which surrounds abortion. To reach lasting legislative and social solutions, the modern and historical abortion debate in the United States must be contextualized and highlight the individual lived experiences and ideas which are often lost in the greater debate as it continues to unfold