But during all the long years this matter has been discussed, advocated, refuted, the people themselves-poor people especially-were blindly, desperately practicing family limitation, just as they are practicing it today. To them birth control does not mean what it does to us. To them it has meant the most barbaric methods. It has meant the killing of babies-infanticide,-abortions,-in one crude way or another.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poor people have practiced family limitation through extreme means like infanticide and abortion, which they view as barbaric, unlike the more controlled use of birth control by others.
- In plain terms
- Poor families resort to harsh methods for limiting families.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the desperate measures taken when contraception is unavailable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we reduce reliance on dangerous family‑limiting practices?
- What role should the state play in providing contraception?
Another view
The description generalizes and stigmatizes poor communities.
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