SOCI 255 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Henry Morgentaler, Heteronormativity, Social Reproduction
Document Summary
Abortion is a site for numerous political battles: Role of the state in the private sphere. Canada does not currently have an abortion law. Political conservatives are demanding state regulation and restriction. Pre-1800s: no regulation, abortion not publicly discussed and not a political issue. 1837: offenses against the persons act, prohibits and criminalizes abortion. 1969: criminal law amendment act section 251, partial de- criminalization and institution of tacs. 1988: supreme court decision on r. v. morgentaler, abortion is legal and left up to individual women. Pre-1800s: women access abortion discretely through midwives and indigenous medical experts. 1837: disproportionately harms poor women, wealthy women illegally access abortion care illegally access abortion care. 1969: uneven and irregular access, abortion is not a woman"s choice. 1988: women can choose, most access affordable care, continuing issues for students (lack of provincial agreements) and rural women. Politics can change over time, and politics can change this again.
