Pro-Life Efforts

I include in this category all efforts to protect the lives of women and children from abortion, including the efforts of people and organizations not associated specifically with opposition to abortion. Law enforcement, for example, by arresting a criminal abortionist and taking him off the streets, protected women from butcher abortionists even though the police, prosecutors, and other officials were merely upholding the law, and not pursuing their own opposition to abortion practice.

Early in the century, pro-life efforts found broad support from law enforcement and public interest groups such as women's organizations and medical societies. It wasn't until the paradigm shift in the middle of the century that life advocacy became the lonely, disparaged, and frustrating effort that it is today. Early in the century, a newspaper expose of abortion deaths led to a crackdown on abortionists. By the 1970's, a similar expose would produce only outrage among life activists and a cover-up among abortion advocates and their allies. As a result, life advocates' hands are often tied, and women are left at the mercy of the dregs of the medical profession.

The Century in Review Timelines:
1900 - 1950: Pre-Paradigm Shift
1950 - 1970: The Transitional Period
1970 - 1999: The Post-Legalization Era

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