The Impact of 19th-Century Obscenity Laws on Reproductive Rights
Almost two centuries ago, in 1873, a federal law called the Comstock Law was enacted in the United States. The purpose of the law was to punish those who distributed, produced or even possessed obscene or lewd materials, including any information related to contraception and abortion.
The Impacts of The Comstock Law on Reproductive Rights
Although the Comstock Law’s main goal was to prevent obscenity in the country, it had an enormous impact on women’s reproductive rights. The law criminalized any information, literature, or resources that provided education and access to safe and legal contraception and abortion services. As a result, women’s reproductive health was substantially affected by the law, and they were incriminated for seeking information and support.
Even though the law was amended in the 1930s regarding contraception, it was not until the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade in 1973 that abortion was legalized in the United States. Since then, there have been ongoing efforts from conservatives to overturn Roe v. Wade and restrict women’s reproductive rights.
The Need for Change
The Comstock Law has been in place for almost two centuries and has substantially impacted women’s reproductive freedoms. Even decades after the law was altered, its remnants still exist, influencing reproductive rights negatively. Women’s access to safe and legal abortion and contraception services is still being threatened and restricted by the influence of the Comstock Law. It is time for change in regards to reproductive rights and for the Comstock Law to be entirely erased.
List of Demands for Reproductive Freedom
- Decriminalization of abortion and contraception access
- Equal access to comprehensive and inclusive sexual education in schools
- Availability of affordable and safe reproductive healthcare services
- Access and production of unbiased and accurate materials regarding reproductive health
- Protection of patient privacy and confidentiality in regards to reproductive health
- Elimination of medically unnecessary and restrictive abortion laws
By eradicating obstacles and amalgamating a comprehensive approach to reproductive healthcare, individuals will be granted the autonomy and access to make empowered choices that can entirely change their life’s trajectory.
We must act now to ensure that present and future generations of people have complete control over their reproductive health and rights without restrictive, oppressive, and outdated laws holding them back.