Women’s Reproductive Solutions. History Assignment

Women’s Reproductive Solutions
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Women’s Reproductive Solutions in the 19TH Century and their Historic and Contemporary Impact
The reproductive solutions of women in the 19th century were greatly influenced by religion as well as cultural beliefs towards gender and sexuality. In this regard, women received unfair and unequal treatment compared to their male counterparts. Accordingly, they did not have the opportunity to voice their desires on reproductive and consequent family matters. Consequently, this resulted to roles and situations which most of the women did not appreciate in society. In the contemporary world, religion, culture as well as health care all have an influence in women’s reproductive and sexual behavior. However, women’s movements that began in the 19th century have been instrumental in changing most of the cultural and religious perspectives on women’s reproductive solutions (McBride & Parry, 2016). This has been due to the need for equality and the fact that outcomes of sexual and reproductive health in a society are reflected by the women’s reproductive solutions. In light of this, religious and culture affiliation have been evident in influencing issues such as; use of anesthetic, contraceptives, and abortion. This paper seeks insight on the different types of women’s reproductive solutions in the 19th century as well as their evolution and influence on the historic and contemporary society.
Historically, women did not have any rights regarding solutions to their reproductive issues. All these rights were accorded to men given that the society regarded them as better in terms of decision making. In this regard, men superimposed decisions concerning abortion, sex life and the use of contraceptives on women. Women were expected to obey accordingly since their main purpose was to bear children, bring them up in a good way and look after their husbands. Conversely, even when women got pregnant by other men through circumstances such as rape, they were expected to keep the children (García-Moreno, et al. 2015). However, most of these women would opt to abort the children even though it was illegal. In most other instances, women who lived in areas where rape culture was common, opted to use traditional birth control for their own benefits. Other situations which forced women to engage in reproductive solutions include; when married women were not willing to start a family, when they did not want to get married to a man who had impregnated them, and when they needed to overcome infections. Majority of the birth control techniques in use during this period were conducted by the women with the help of their mothers, but under the influence of their husbands.
In climates that accommodated papayas, the native women living there used different parts of the plant to solve for their reproductive systems. For instance; such native women would chew on the papaya leaves as a mode of birth control. This was necessary especially in regions that had been colonized and the women risked being raped by the foreign invaders. Accordingly, this birth control method was vital in ensuring that the local women were prevented from bearing offspring that they did not want to have. Also, the green pawpaw fruit was used to induce abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. In the event that a woman who was less than 10 weeks pregnant decided to terminate the pregnancy, it was recommended that she eat a green papaya of standard size. The fruit could be boiled before eating, eaten as a salad or blended to create juice which was then consumed. The fruit would then be eaten daily (in either form) until the desired goal is successfully achieved. Using the green papaya fruit as an abortifacient was possible since it contains latex which coats the lining of the uterus. In the process, the fertilized egg detaches from the uterine wall and is easily discharged.
Another means of contraceptive used in the 10th century was acidulated water. This refers to water which has been infused with vinegar or boric acid power and is used as a douche prior to and after intercourse. This technique worked since it created an acidic atmosphere which made it difficult for the sperm to be viable. Besides, this method was and is still currently used to prevent and treat infections of the vulva. Apart from these internal abortifacients, women had external solutions to getting rid of unwanted pregnancies. This involved methods such as repeatedly lifting of heavy loads, taking hot baths, engaging in severe exercises, climbing trees and jumping often until abortion was achieved (García-Moreno, et al. 2015). The use of rubber diaphragms and condoms made out of fish bladders was also common. Rubber condoms become a popular means of birth control later in the 19th century. Additionally, infanticide, though illegal, was practiced. This solution refers to the killing of newborn babies who were unwanted within the family or society. It was used to control the gender of the children that were born according to the labor needs of those involved. Given that this technique was regarded as less risk, it was preferred compared to abortion. However, both abortion and infanticide were regarded as criminal practices and thus, illegal.
Abortion, particularly in the Unites States, was only regarded as legal when it was necessary in order to save the life of a mother. Reports from the History of Abortion indicate that this method of birth control, together with the use of other contraceptives, helped achieve a reduction in population (Francome, 2017). In turn, this facilitated for improvement of the social amenities provided to the now lesser population. conversely, religion was against such practices since they were viewed as contrary to the teaching offered. For instance, the Catholic religion was against the use of any contraceptives since they perceived it as a means of controlling God’s creation. According to the Christianity doctrine, (to which Catholics subscribe to) human beings are meant to multiply and increase the world. As such, the use of birth control goes against this doctrine and is hence, discouraged to date. Despite this, there are some denominations which advocate for the use of contraceptives. This has been a trend in the modern world given the need to maintain a family which one can easily sustain. Accordingly, women are advised to use any modern means of contraceptive which works for them health wise. This proves that health is also a factor in determining modern solution for women’s reproduction.
Historically, children were considered as a sign of wealth. In t...