Various birth control methods have been around hundreds of years prior to the revolutionary contraception movement of the early 1900s. From cedar oil as a spermicide to condoms comprised of sheep intestines, people have been finding ways to limit pregnancies (Gibbs, Van Dyk, Adams). However, the contraception movement of the early twentieth century caused a spark in society. Women were vying for new and improved methods of contraception (Wardell 740). We must ask, ‘What were the social and economic impacts of the contraception movement in the early twentieth century?’ The contraception movement led to several impacts such as helping with the decrease in medical emergencies and deaths due to pregnancy; leading to a decrease in family size; assisting in the decrease of financial strain placed upon families due to pregnancies; and an increase in the likelihood of women continuing their education and entering the workforce. Margaret Sanger started her crusade of providing birth control for women because an acquaintance, Sadie Sachs, died due to blood poisoning from an abortion performed on herself by herself (Wardell 738). Prior to this incident, she requested information on how to prevent a pregnancy from her doctor. However, the doctor offered her no help and stated that she was “trying to enjoy her cake and eat it too” (Wardell 738). Margaret Sanger wanted to give women the birth control information that they rightfully deserved and prevent any more unnecessary deaths due to unwanted pregnancies. (Wardell 738). There were an estimated two million illegal abortions performed per year in the United States, with many of them leading to the deaths of women (Wardell 739). Childbirth came with fatal complications for as many as 25,000 women per year in the US (Wardell 739). Mortality rates for mothers were the highest from 1900-1930 (Healthier Mother and Babies). Even if women were at risk of death due to health conditions, their doctors were still refusing to give information about birth control (Wardell 741). There were laws that prevented doctors from distributing information on birth control, but Margaret Sanger’s mission led to the demolishment of these laws, allowing women access to this information (Wardell 738). By allowing women access to birth control, women who could die from complications of pregnancies or self-induced abortions would increase their chances of living by preventing pregnancy from the start. Many women’s lives could have been saved if information on contraception were available to them that allowed them to prevent pregnancy from the beginning. Years later, the contraception movement has given women the opportunity to live their lives the way that they want to. With fewer women becoming pregnant, family sizes decreased slightly. At the beginning of the 1900s, the average family consisted of 3.5 children, but by the 1930s, the average family consisted of 2.3 children (Family Planning). There was a common misconception that birth control and abortion were mostly for unmarried (and promiscuous) women (Sanger 195). However, statistics showed that there were more married than unmarried women were seeking birth control and abortions (Sanger 195). The need to limit pregnancies and therefore family size, stemmed from the need of financial stability (Sanger 195). With each pregnancy, the family would need more money for food, clothing,
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Margaret Sanger helped thousands of women by combating laws that controlled women’s access to birth control. Margaret Sanger’s birth control clinic in New York attracted women from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts (Wardell 740). Now thanks to her efforts women across the country have access to birth control, including myself. Women had many reasons to utilize birth control methods which led to quite a few impacts on society during the early twentieth century. The contraception movement led to several impacts such as helping with the decrease in medical emergencies and deaths due to pregnancy; leading to a decrease in family size; assisting in the decrease of financial strain placed upon families due to pregnancies; and an increase in the likelihood of women continuing their education and entering the workforce. These impacts can still be seen in today’s society. On a personal level, I can relate to using birth control because of the possible financial burden that may be placed upon me if I were to get pregnant and my wanting to pursue my education and gain employment soon
Margaret Sanger helped thousands of women by combating laws that controlled women’s access to birth control. Margaret Sanger’s birth control clinic in New York attracted women from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts (Wardell 740). Now thanks to her efforts women across the country have access to birth control, including myself. Women had many reasons to utilize birth control methods which led to quite a few impacts on society during the early twentieth century. The contraception movement led to several impacts such as helping with the decrease in medical emergencies and deaths due to pregnancy; leading to a decrease in family size; assisting in the decrease of financial strain placed upon families due to pregnancies; and an increase in the likelihood of women continuing their education and entering the workforce. These impacts can still be seen in today’s society. On a personal level, I can relate to using birth control because of the possible financial burden that may be placed upon me if I were to get pregnant and my wanting to pursue my education and gain employment soon