= Introduction

This page will explore the different aspects that contribute to reproductive freedom. Historically, as well in the present, women's reproductive rights heavily depend on the political, individual and social aspects of Western society. It is crucial to understand that the fate of women's reproductive rights and choices lay in the hands of the patriarchal powers that control their bodies in various ways. Many of the consequences women face, in regards to reproduction, are in result of neo liberalist ideologies.

Political Impacts on Reproduction

The fate of women's reproduction heavily lies in the hands of power. This power is instituted in many ways by the state. Factors such as: population control, birth control distribution, and gender all contribute to how women's reproductive rights are carried out in every day life. It is also important to look at cuts in abortion funding and health insurance plans and how this relates to having male dominant institutions (Petchesky,1980). The State's control over women's bodies and reproduction translates into the control of "...prostitution, treatment of venereal disease, and especially the imposition on population control" (Solinger, 2013). Historically, reproductive politics was directed towards female fertilization, which was focused at poor women and disabled women in hopes of controlling 'unwanted' populations (Petchesky, 1980). For example, in Puerto Rico policies implemented by colonial powers forced women to take birth control which actually ended in a huge health risk for the women taking it (Solinger, 2013). The grouping of women in populations is especially harmful to reproductive rights (Solinger, 2005). This leads into how important it is to treat reproduction as an individual issue and choice.

The Role of the Indivdual

The focus on the individual when it comes to reproduction is crucial. By grouping different types of women together many important aspects of reproduction get lost. There is a major political and social disconnect between having control over your own body, in other words autonomy for women, and equality (Petchesky,1980). It is important to recognize women's reproduction as their own experiences that are shaped by their own everyday lives (Solinger,1980). Due to having their bodies controlled by the state, women's autonomy over their own reproduction is turned into self governance (Denbow, 2015). The blurred lines between the public and private sector have made women feel pressure to uphold reproductive responsibilities. The subject of abortion is a very realistic example of a private decision being exploited by the public. Women often can not look at having an abortion as a personal choice because "... the personal is the political" (Denbow, 2015). Abortion, being controversial due to being highly debated and shamed politically and socially, can never be just a woman's choice. Denbow states that "... the state develops techniques for managing women's reproduction while simultaneously placing primary responsibility on women and expecting them to bear the full consequences of their actions" (2015). The state fails to acknowledge the fact that every single woman's experience is is their own depending on the reality that they live in which evidently makes it their choice and their choice only.

Social Impacts on Reproduction

There are many social determinants of health that impact the role of reproduction in society. A woman's reproduction can depend on multiple things like accessible birth control, class, nutrition, employment, healthcare and location (Petchesky,1980). Social factors of reproduction also are controlled by many family and cultural aspects that are highly significant. Family, in the context of reproduction, is a social relationship which also includes sexual meanings and practices (Petchesky,1980). Society also has blurred lines between biological and social factors of reproduction which makes a significant impact on how reproductive freedom is perceived and carried out. Women's reproductive rights are largely correlated with their position in society. This refers to their their "...class, age, and occupation, as well as the time and culture" in which they live (Petchesky, 2004). For example, A woman who has access to education and has a steady job as well as the social support to raise a child, will have a completely different experience with reproduction than a woman who does not have those privileges. Even though every woman's life is different in some way, women as a whole face a society that controls their bodies and choices.

References

Denbow, J. M. (2015). Governed through choice: autonomy, technology, and the politics of reproduction. New York: New York University Press

Petchesky, R. P. (2004). Abortion and woman's choice: the state, sexuality, and reproductive freedom. New York: ACLS History E-Book Project.

Petchesky, R. P. (1980). Reproductive Freedom: Beyond "A Woman's Right to Choose". Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 5(4), 661-685.

Solinger, R. (2013). Layering the Lenses: Toward Understanding Reproductive Politics in the United States. Journal of Womens History, 25(4), 101-112.

Solinger, R. (2005). Pregnancy and Power.