THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION ABORTION What is the sociological

THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION (ABORTION)

What is the sociological Imagination? ● Sociological Imagination is a term coined by ○ C. Wright Mills. ● Sociological imagination: Enables its possessor to understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals (p. 5) C. Wright Mills

What is Abortion? ❖Abortion is the surgical or medical termination of a pregnancy (Center for Women’s Health). ❖Surgical: Foetus is terminated through an operation. ❖Medical: Specific drugs are administered to end the pregnancy.

History of Abortion BRIEF HISTORY OF ABORTION IN THE U. S In the United States, the history of abortion goes back much farther than the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal and marked an important turning point in public health policy. Mid of to late 1800, abortion became illegal as a result of diverse motivations. Control Immigrant population. Issue of “back alley abortions”.

Contending Views on Abortion ❖Pro-choice movement: Liberal feminist approach, places its emphasis on choice and autonomy of a woman on her reproductive orientation. ❖Argue for government protection of the choice of women. ❖Federal Freedom of Choice Law.

Pro-Life Argument ❖Pro-Life movement: Radical feminist approach, emphasizes the need for government regulation on abortion. ❖Argue against the commodification of women and children. ❖Federal Right to Life Law.

Troubles and Issues According in C. Wright Mills: ❖ Troubles: occur within the character of the individual and within the range of his immediate relations with others; dealing with his self; is a private manner (p. 8) ❖ Issues: have to do with matters that transcend these local environments of the individual and the range of his inner life; have to do with the organization; institutions; historical society as a whole; a public matter (p. 8)

How Does Abortion Transcend from a Personal Trouble to a Public Issue Illustration: RELIGION MARRIAGE EDUCATION ECONOMY POLITICS HEALTH

Conclusion ❖ Values and behaviors do not exist in a vacuum; social environment plays a huge role in one’s life choices. ❖History(time and place) has a huge impact in determining our actions. ❖ We cannot analyze why people do what they do without stepping out of the ordinary (thinking outside the box).

References Mills, Wright C. 1959. The Sociological Imagination. New York: Oxford University Press. National Abortion Federation. The history of Abortion. Assessed on 2/18/2016 http: //prochoice. org/education-and-advocacy/about-abortion/history-of-abortion/. Jesudason, S. , & Weitz, T. 2015. Eggs and Abortion: 'Women-Protective' Language Used by Opponents in Legislative Debates over Reproductive Health. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(2): 259 -269. How Sociologist view social problems: The Abortion Dilemma. Accessed on 2/20/16 https: //www. pearsonhighered. com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplech apter/0205968848. pdf

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