17th Century
Advancements in Medicine
As technology has advanced, medicine has become more precise, making people more interested in their wants and needs. With continuous improvements to birth control methods, women have become more interested in safer options. Now, birth control is used more frequently, providing women with greater choices and control over their lives.
What was one group that resisted birth control?
The Susan B Anthony group was an example of a group that resists birth control. Being a "pro-life" activist group, they claim to "give unborn babies a voice" They have strong opinions against abortion and other methods of birth control.
How did the Enlightenment affect the advancement of birth control?
Following the Enlightenment, a new wave of thought arose that advocated for women's rights and equality. This paved the way for the creation of birth control, which gave women increased independence over their bodies and role in society.
Industrialization (Womens Jobs)
Women and children were given jobs as factory owners needed more employees. Since women were spending more time working, the emphasis on family and women only taking care of children decreased. Also, the new exhaustion for women increased the thought of birth control, because of the lack to care for children.
Seneca Falls Convention Affects
The Seneca Falls Convention fought for women's rights, giving women more power in their decisions, controlling birth rates, and leading birth control to gain more attention.
Global Feminism
Global feminism promoted women's rights, providing them with greater autonomy over their bodies and reproductive choices. Birth control was used more frequently following feminism movements because women had the power to choose what life they wanted to pursue.
Idealization of the Female Homemaker
During the Industrial Revolution, middle-class women were left at home, and being a housewife became a status symbol. Advertisements and consumer culture began to pressure women into a "cult" of domesticity, where emphasis was placed on women maintaining homes and raising families. This submission and obedience only built up support for feminism movements, later creating more ideas for birth control.