The twilight of the era of hush and pretend: Contraception, public mores and police power in Connecticut, 1940–1965

Jennifer Lynne Ball, Purdue University

Abstract

The history of contraception is a story told largely from the perspective of reproductive rights. This perspective, while compelling, limits the true scope of contraceptive history and fails to adequately explain some of the most important developments regarding politics, sexuality, and public mores. This is a case study of Connecticut from 1940 to 1965. Research demonstrates within the state and the United States this was an important period of transition in terms of political liberalism and sexual liberalism. Connecticut produced one of the most important legal precedents of the later twentieth century, Griswold v. Connecticut. The case articulated the legal right to privacy as it pertained to a married couple's use of contraception. In order to understand the historical context of this case, this thesis explores four elements of the contraceptive dynamic. The organized movement, the consumer market, religious authorities, and public policy each form the basis of a chapter. The study concludes only through the interplay of consumer demand, expert opinion, moral sanction by religious and authorities, and governmental unwillingness to enforce anti-contraceptive laws did access to and acceptance of contraception grow. Political and social liberalism shared common ground during this era by advocating for a citizen's personal freedom to make certain choices privately without government interference. Connecticut's history reveals the social and cultural forces which shaped the definition of privacy from which a new legal articulation of privacy evolved in 1965. Unknown to those involved in the case, Griswold would become an important dividing point in American history concerning concepts on sexuality and citizenship. Yet, the acknowledgement of a right to privacy in contraception was not a complete renunciation of government authority to regulate sexuality or morality. Rather it was a redrawing of the boundaries of proper sexuality in an effort to maintain a certain amount of social control over sexual behavior and citizens' actions. Articulating and redefining the right to privacy would become the mechanism through which society regulated sexuality, morality and social relations.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Gabin, Purdue University.

Subject Area

American history

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