The Abortion Law Reform Association And The Legalization Of Abortion In The UK,1936-1967

The early 20 th century in UK witnessed significant social change,when more and more women tended to acquire higher education and were involved in their own careers.A large family with many children was not welcomed and the concept of birth control and abortion came into fashion.Unfortunately,abortion was definitely forbidden under the Offences against the Person Act 1861.The increase of the maternal death caused by illegal and unprofessional abortion and the low birth rate demonstrated that it did not stop abortion.Many feminists and feminist organizations were very active in the 1930 s and spoke up for women's abortion rights by publications and speeches.They criticized the old law--The Offences against the Person Act 1861,and gradually exerting great influence on the government.The Abortion Law Reform Association,which established in the 1936 became the nucleus of the abortion campaign.They organized conferences and published many writings which helped it gain positive reputation.Facing the great pressure and the Bourne case happen in1939,the government appointed a new department--Interdepartmental Committee on Abortion(Birkett Committee)to investigate the problem of abortion.Meanwhile,the Association surveyed and collected opinion of the public and submitted their memorandum then questioned by the committee.Finally the committee issued a meaningful report,but all the progress in the 1930 s was blocked by the Second World War.Thalidomide Scandal and the new leadership of the Association was the mother that reinvigorated the Abortion Law Reform Association.It decided to work harder to boost its participation in parliament and increased their propaganda.After several rounds of debate in the parliament,the bill proposed by David Steel was approved and then was issued as the Abortion Act 1967.The abortion law reform campaign won a victory legally.The paper aims to discuss the legalization of abortion in the UK from the 1930 s to the1960 s by focusing on the Abortion Law Reform Association--its activities and contributions.Meanwhile,will explore the social background in the 30 years.According to the archives ofthe Association,including its record of meetings,memorandums,and publications,the author will analyze to what extent the Abortion Law Reform Association promoted the abortion law reform campaign in the UK and what characters the campaign shows.