Pro-Choice and Pro-Life Contemporary Ideologies and Conflicts: Finding a Site for Common Ground

Presenter Information

Savanna Peterson-Wahl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 204

Start Date

6-4-2010 10:00 AM

End Date

6-4-2010 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Gender and Women's Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Barbara Keating

Mentor's Department

Sociology and Corrections

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Mentor's Name

Helen Crump

Second Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Second Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Abortion has been a hot topic in politics. In order to open a space for knowledgeable activism and discussion on this controversial issue, I conducted a content analysis of literature on pro-choice and pro-life standpoints and areas of conflict. In addition, I analyzed two websites, one pro-choice and one pro-life, that have local as well as national significance. This analysis was centered on the websites' abilities to put their standpoints into practice. Combining these analyses provided an overview of contemporary reproductive rights' standpoints and conflicts. The wide range of stances gave people the opportunity to gauge their personal views within a larger political context. Ultimately, the main goal was to give people the ability to informedly gauge their personal and political stances and instigate political action.