During ancient times, there were no methods to prevent pregnancy or terminate it before birth. Therefore, communities would have children they could not afford, which resulted in high infant mortality rates due to lack of resources. Early Christians believed that procreation was God's commandment and that contraceptives were unnatural.
Some individuals used herbs to prevent conception without condemning themselves morally.
In medieval Europe, many people supported abortion when the mother's life was in danger. But it was also condemned if performed for convenience. The Catholic Church advocated for abstinence but tolerated marriage, and only allowed the husband to withdraw from intercourse during ovulation to avoid conception. It opposed masturbation because it led to impotence and infertility, and promoted breastfeeding and coitus reservatus as forms of natural contraception.
By the Renaissance, new ideas about sex emerged, including sex for pleasure rather than reproduction. Physicians prescribed medications to prevent conception while promoting sexual autonomy. In the 18th century, condoms were invented to protect against venereal disease, and the Comstock Act banned their sale in the US. Abortions remained illegal but widely practiced, leading to the rise of safe clinics.
In the 20th century, birth control became a hot issue among feminists who saw it as key to women's liberation. They launched the 'Sexual Revolution', advocating free love, divorce, and homosexuality. Many religions rejected this view, believing family values must be upheld through chastity and monogamy. Pro-life groups argued that life begins at conception, and that abortion is murder.
Today, most countries allow legal abortion under certain conditions, such as rape or risk to the mother's health. Some nations have even decriminalized prostitution, which can spread STDs without protection. Meanwhile, many people use contraceptives like pills and IUDs to plan pregnancies.
Religious authorities still oppose some methods and believe they lead to immorality.
How did historical debates on abortion and contraception reflect tensions between religious authority, communal responsibility, and personal autonomy, and what relational and psychological outcomes emerged?
The debate over reproductive rights and sexuality has been a complex one throughout history, with various groups advocating for different positions based on their beliefs and values. Religious authorities have often viewed reproduction as a sacred act that should be governed by divine laws and traditions, while some communities view it as a communal responsibility where individuals must consider the needs of others when making decisions about their bodies.