Contraception in the Early 1900s

From 1914 to 1945 a social reform took shape to increase the availability of contraception. The U.S. aimed to educate society on birth control and then legalize it. This reform began with a group led by Mary Dennett, Margaret Sanger, and Emma Goldman. This reform came about due to the struggles many women faced during this time period due to pregnancy. There were a high number of low-income women becoming pregnant that simply could not afford to have a child. The idea of contraception was unheard of and very extreme for majority of people during this time period; therefore, this reform was not going to be easy. By 1916 Sanger had opened up a birth control clinic for the very first time in the U.S. However, this was quickly shut down and she was sentenced to time jail.
Finally a turning point had come about during World War I. Birth control went from a moral issue to a public health issue. In 1923 Sanger opened up a second birth control clinic; this time it was not shut down. For the first time, essentially beginning in the 1920’s, birth control became a part of society. It was becoming more and more accepted and common for women. It became widespread and available to all; this demonstrated the transition from the Victoria Era to a more sexually tolerant culture.
The issue of birth control is relevant to As I lay Dying for a number of reasons. Faulkner looks into the mindset of many women during this time period, getting their intake and stance on sexuality, motherhood, and contraception. Addie, a mother of five, was expected to have as many children as she possibly could. This was normal for the 1920’s. Doctors often times told women that it would be dangerous or unhealthy to have another child; however, they would not give them information or offer them contraception of any form. Contraception could have been of great use to a woman like Addie, because the novel demonstrates how difficult motherhood could be for a low-income family. This could