Pro- Choice
Over the last forty years, the question over abortion rights has been a highly debated social issue in our country. The Pro-choice movement began with a primary goal of legalizing abortion, and after this was achieved, continued to defend itself against the counter movements that rose in the late 70's. This movement enjoyed a level of successes that was not felt by other movements of the time. As highlighted in The Pro-Choice Movement: Organization and Activism in the Abortion Conflict, Suzanne Staggenborg examines the many factors contributing to the movement. While reading and researching this book and other pro-choice movement materials, some themes have arose that give insight into the successes of this movement despite its turmoiulous road. Devoted leadership, strong organizations and grass-root support, combined with motivation from the threats of the anti-abortion counter movement, enabled the pro-choice movement to remain an active force before and after legalization. The emergence of the pro-choice movement did not occur via the usual social movement roots. The early pro choice movement emerged from concerned physicians who wanted to help legalize abortions and keep the practice safe. Publishe
Many counter movements began to rise up and gain power to threat the newly won right to an abortion. This was motivation for the pro-choice supporters to reorganize. The years following the roe v. wade Supreme Court decision show a change in the organization of the pro choice movement. The political opportunity structure also changed as more formalized organizations stepped forward to support the Supreme Court decision. In comparing the original movement with that of post 1973, Suzanne Staggenborg states that, "A major difference between the pre 1973 movement and the one that emerged out of that decision was the rise of organizational group and interest group support. Among these established group joining forces with the pro choice movement were professional associations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood." (Staggenborg, p 126) NARAL founder Lawrence Lader was very sharp in his foresight of the future of this emotional issue. He feared that the achieved victories of in appealing the anti-abortion decisions would lead to apathy among his constituents. Therefore he demanded that his activists continue to take the anti- threats seriously and to keep lobbying for pro- choice in Washington. Lader also realized the threat of reelecting President Reagan and conservative Supreme Court Justices. Unfortunately, pro-choice support did begin to fall as many people felt the new issues had less appeal than the original legality issues. The movement did slow down but was reenergized due to the ongoing attacks by the Reagan and Bush administrations. Additionally; "Dr. Nathanson, a former NARAL activist turned anti-abortionist released a film called The Silent Scream which shifted the debate on abortion to scientific issues." (Solinger, p 157) The devoted leadership of national organizations like the NARAL helped sustain pro-choice momentum and activity. The counter movement was beneficial to the pro-choice movement in that it aroused supporters and created opportunities for local and national pro-choice movements to mobilize. Prior to 1973's Roe v. Wade decision the abortion movement's principal source of political opportunity was its expanded social movement sector. In speaking of the factors in mobilizing people around the abortion issue Staggenborg states, "Activists who fought for women's right, civil rights, and the like were also joining this emerging movement. Immedi
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Approximate Word count = 1672
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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