Abstract

This thesis utilizes a reproductive justice framework to discuss the impact of anti-abortion legislation and the anti-abortion movement on women of color and low-income women, arguing that reduced access to abortion is oppressive to minority women. Chapter 1 outlines the theoretical framework of this thesis, focusing on feminist Marxism, Intersectionality, Critical Race Theory, and radical and third wave feminist perspectives. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the anti-abortion movement and the major state and federal laws and court cases that have defined women's access to abortion in the United States, including Roe v Wade, the Hyde Amendment, Planned Parenthood v Casey, and TRAP laws. Chapter 3 discusses the oppressive effects of these laws by connecting anti-abortion legislation and the anti-abortion movement to larger historical systems of oppression and examining the effect of reduced access to abortion on women's reproductive choices and socioeconomic status. This chapter argues that reduced access to abortion is oppressive because it encourages sterilization among minority women who may have chosen other birth control options given the choice, and funnels minority women into an oppressive and exploitative US welfare system. Chapter 4 discusses minority women's potential to overcome this oppression and examines some real-world examples of reproductive rights activism. This thesis expands the current discussion on abortion access by centering the discussion on minority women and arguing that reduced access to abortion is systematically oppressive rather than simply discriminatory.

Thesis Completion

2019

Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Wright, Kenicia

Co-Chair

Bubriski, Anne

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Undergraduate Studies

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

12-1-2019

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