The Poem
The author of “The Mother.”
Who is Gwendolyn Brooks?
Myth or fact: Abortion causes infertility.
Myth. Most abortions do not affect future fertility.
This term describes people who support abortion rights.
What is Pro-choice?
The Supreme Court case in 1973 that legalized abortion nationwide in the U.S.
What is Roe v. Wade?
Research shows that the most common emotional response after an abortion is this.
What is relief?
Brooks was the first African American to win this major award in poetry.
What is the Pulitzer Prize?
Myth or fact: Most abortions happen late in pregnancy.
Myth. The vast majority happen in the first trimester.
This term describes people who oppose abortion rights.
what is pro-life?
This 2022 Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade.
What is Dobbs v. Jackson?
Anti-abortion rhetoric often claims abortion causes this disorder, but studies show no direct link.
What is PTSD?
This theme is central to the poem: regret, grief, and conflicting feelings about _______.
What is abortion?
Myth or fact: Abortion pills are only safe up to 10–12 weeks of pregnancy.
Fact. After that, other medical options are needed.
This U.S. organization, founded in 1916, is a major provider of reproductive health services.
What is Planned Parenthood?
In the 19th century, this U.S. movement pushed for abortion bans as part of regulating medicine.
what is the American Medical Association Movement?
People denied abortion often experience this higher risk to their mental health.
What is depression?
The “sucking-thumb” image symbolizes this stage of life.
What is infancy/childhood?
Myth or fact: Abortion rates go down when access to contraception improves.
Fact. Studies show access to birth control reduces unintended pregnancies.
In 2017, this worldwide protest highlighted women’s rights, including reproductive rights.
What is the Women’s March?
This country legalized abortion in 1920, becoming the first to do so.
What is the Soviet Union?
Abortion stigma can create this harmful emotional weight, even in supportive communities.
What is shame or guilt?
Brooks uses this literary device by directly addressing the unborn children.
What is apostrophe?
Myth or fact: The U.S. has one of the strictest abortion laws in the world.
Myth. Some countries are stricter; U.S. laws vary by state after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
This Latin American movement used the green bandana as a symbol of abortion rights.
What is the Green Wave (Marea Verde)?
In ancient Greece, this physician wrote about herbal methods to induce abortion.
who is Hippocrates?
Experts say mental health after abortion depends more on this than on the procedure itself.
What is support?