Crimes of Immorality: Abortion
Starting in the mid-nineteenth century, abortion became criminalized nationwide, but the practice of illegal abortions continued to happen and often received little attention. However, by the turn of the nineteenth century, illegal abortions once again were put into the spotlight and an increasing interest in regulation and legislation arose to combat the so-called “midwife problem” (Reagan 1995, 569-571). Midwives, accused of being responsible for the majority of abortions, became the target of a newly rising movement led by medical professionals who believed midwives unqualified to practice medicine on pregnant women (Reagan 1995, 572). Gaining popularity through the already existing sex-reform movement, this crusade against abortion and midwives highlighted concern for “women’s new sexual liberty… [and] emphasized the dangers of sex” (Reagan 1995, 574). As historian Leslie J. Reagan explains, periods of increased anti-abortion campaigns occurred when “women asserted sexual independence, as during the Progressive Era” (1997, 14). However, during the period of the Great Depression, when people had limited resources and attention was focused on the needs of individual families, issues on abortion were largely ignored (Reagan 1997, 14).
Physicians & Midwives
Though this growing concern was headed by medical professionals, the truth of the matter was that physicians often worked hand-in-hand with midwives to complete abortions (Reagan 1995, 580). Though the official and public attitude of medical professionals was against abortions, many individual physicians did not follow this view point (Reagan 1997, 82). In fact, in their investigation into vices present in Wisconsin in 1914, the Teasdale Vice Committee found “that there is a large number of physicians and midwives who not only perform operations for abortion, but even encourage this practice” (Wisconsin Legislature 1914, 144). Within the Brown County Circuit Court cases we can see the truth of this statement, as, out of the four reported cases between 1910-1939, three of the defendants were doctors (State of Wisconsin v. Olive Murphy & J.E. McGinnis, 1913; State of Wisconsin v. F.E. Donaldson, 1927; State of Wisconsin v. Marie Vermeiren, 1938). The last defendant was the proprietor of General Hospital, possibly a midwife, and was reported as helping a doctor perform an abortion (State of Wisconsin v. Olive Murphy & J.E. McGinnis). Note that in these cases, the women receiving the abortion were not brought to court in any of these cases, rather the focus remained on the doctors and midwives who performed the abortions. Reagan agrees with this assessment, writing that between 1880 and 1930 “abortion was widely accepted and was practiced in women's homes and in the offices of physicians and midwives” (1997, 15). In 1920, however, the focus on midwives extinguished and an increased interest in federal health policy took its place (Reagan 1995, 596). The Sheppard-Towner Act passed in 1921 and worked to “improve maternal and infant health,” officially ending the investigation against midwives (Reagan 1995, 596).
The Impact of the Great Depression
In the 1930s, following the beginning of the Great Depression, the practicing of abortions expanded and started to become a specialized field (Reagan 1997, 132). The economic turmoil of the era affected everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, or wealth and took a heavy toll on the personal lives of many people, especially women. As jobs became harder to get and wages fell, families and individuals across the country had to deal with a tight budget and fewer resources. Women especially faced hardship, as they were forced out of jobs that many believed “belonged to men” (Reagan 1997, 133). Single women, fearing the loss of their jobs, delayed marriage and had abortions. Married women also faced challenges, unable to support a new child in this era. The financial burden of supporting a child then became an important issue, whether a woman was married or not. As a result of this increase in abortions, sought due to financial difficulties, abortion specialists emerged within the professional medical community (Reagan 1997, 133). A rise in the use and distribution of contraceptives also emerged in this era and some physicians even began to talk about reforming abortion laws (Reagan 1997, 139). In fact, “[a] 1939 poll of the nation's medical students confirmed the medical acceptance of abortion” (Reagan 1997, 143). However, no actual political reform movement came out of these attempts’ and abortions remained illegal (Reagan 1997, 141).