The Pro-Choice Double Standard

Paper Summary:

This essay asserts that in the broader issue of reproductive rights, pro-life strategists apply a double standard when it comes to minorities and their reproductive rights. The paper maintains that when the focus is changed from abortion to broader reproductive freedom, the pro-life advocates apply race and class criteria that distinguish between the rights of white, middle-class women and low-income women of color. The paper further asserts that pro-life activists advocate policies that discourage childbearing by depriving low-income women of the means to support a child and that the pro-life movement has sought to discourage women on welfare from becoming pregnant by punishing them when they bear children.

From the Paper:

"These policies designed to control the child-bearing of poor women are but the latest in a series of practices that date back to the eugenics movement of the 19th century, which promoted, racial theories of "fitness" and "unfitness." During this time of a significantly declining birth rate within the white population, politicians and eugenicists raised the specter of white "race suicide." The eugenics movement, which was adopted briefly by the birth control movement in the early 20th century, advocated a higher birthrate for white, middle class, "fit" women and a lower birthrate (aided by birth control) for poor women, especially poor "unfit" women of color and immigrant women."

More papers on The Pro-Choice Double Standard:

• Term Paper # 32783 : "The Pro-Choice Movement"
• Argumentative Essay # 63474 : "Pro-Choice on Abortion"
• Argumentative Essay # 67618 : "Pro-Choice"

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