Abortion abolition activity: An exploration of the moral crusade, social movement, and religious revival perspectives on group formation and dynamics
Abstract
This project uses three approaches to explore the genesis and dynamics of the drive to abolish legal abortion in the United States. First, the phenomenon is examined as a moral crusade in the first part of its history after the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Second, its tenure as a social movement is explored, beginning near the end of the 1980s, with consideration of both traditional and new social movement theory concerns. Third, the relationship between the abortion abolition enterprise and the theological and linguistic aspects of religious revival are examined during the most recent period of the enterprise, with particular attention to Operation Rescue. From both the historical findings and an empirical study of current participants in the abortion abolition enterprise, a new model is proposed for understanding the dynamics of faith-based political action.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Targ, Purdue University.
Subject Area
American studies|Political science|Womens studies|Social structure|Religion
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