Introduction
Since time immemorial, men and women tried avoiding pregnancies. Before modern contraceptives, women relied heavily on withdrawal and refraining from sexual intercourse. These methods were ineffective and sometimes failed to meet the expectations of women. However, in the year 1960, FDA gave a go ahead and certified ‘the pill’ a contraceptive that would reduce unwanted pregnancies. Manufacturers aimed at effectively providing a reliable birth control method to the public. Elaine Tyler claimed that women accepted the contraceptive, which resulted to change in society. She went further to explain that women utilized the pill to change the course of history. With the pill, women wielded the power to challenges medical experts’ authority, the medical industry, and even legislators. This paper will look into the development and importance of the pill and birth control in the society and its long-term impact.
The development of the pill and feminist movement
According to Elaine, the pill was a sexual revolution. It was a pillar of hope for mothers. They had a voice on matters pertaining having children. They could get pregnant based on their own terms. In fact, Margaret Sanger, in the year 1912, envisioned a drug that would give mothers complete control over pregnancies. She wanted to honor mothers. During her tenure as a nurse, Sanger witnessed the death of many women because their bodies could no longer stand the strains of a pregnancy (May 56).These atrocities made her advocate strongly for birth control. In addition, unregulated pregnancies weakened the health of women and hindered their independence due to the added responsibilities. Against the backdrop of ineffective birth control methods, Sanger pursued information on better methodologies. Later, Sanger joined hands with Katharine McCormick. The two women funded a research that led to birth of the pill.
In 1960, introduction of the pill to the market coincided with baby boom. Most mothers rushed to the market and bought the pill (May 103). Some sectors of the society frowned upon it while others rejoiced and saw it as a sexual revolution. Single women had a hard time buying the drug. At the end of it all, the drug was a breath of fresh air and number of births per woman dropped from three to one in 1975. The pill was not the only factor for the drop of births but it was the main contributor.
The role of the pill and birth control
The pill gave complete power and control to women. They could plan their careers without involving their male partners. Consequently, female increased in the work force and even their earnings skyrocketed. (May 213). In terms of human capital, women, the pill gave women time to invest in other sectors of their lives. They acquired the freedom to attain degrees and gain entry into male dominated careers. More so, birth control gave women the chance to enjoy sex without procreation. On other side, early marriages were on a decline trend.
The access of readily available birth control immediately led to healthy single women who unplanned pregnancies would be a costly affair (May 110). Similarly, the utilization of the pill strengthened the role of women in marriages. Both men and women had a voice on the number and time they should have babies, which shifted power the power balance.
The cultural shift created by the pill and birth control in general led to more awareness on the plight of women and gradually the society accepted working mothers and babies born out of wedlock (May 79). Secondly, the society respected women and they became more visible in other sectors of the community such as politics.
Importance of the pill
Most ladies claim that the pill makes periods predictable. In addition, the chemical make of the pill regulate cramps and lighten the burden of women during periods. It can also stop the periods instantly. Besides, users can have children after they stop their prescription. After a woman stops taking the pill, the functionality of her body returns to normal, she can still have her periods (May 120). Therefore, the pill works in line with the mechanisms of a woman’s body.
Taking the pills is an easy task and women can carry them in their backpacks. In fact, females need a prescription from a doctor in order to acquire the drugs hence making the birth control convenient and accessible to the public (May 230). Currently, an estimated 28% women use birth control for preventing birth unsolicited pregnancies. Although some people may argue that men still have power over women to dictate or control communities despite of the leaps ladies made thorough out the society.
In short, the pill changed the entire course of history and gave women power over their fertility. The pill saved the lives of many women and gave them an opportunity to concentrate on other aspects of life such as education and careers. It reduced early marriages caused by accidental pregnancies reduced significantly. Women had a voice and gained force in politics and in the corporate world. In the end, it was a win- win situation for both men and women.
Work cited
May, Elaine T. America and the Pill: A History of Promise, Peril, and Liberation. LaVergne, TN: RHYW, 2010.
