Classism and Control: The Throughline from Witch Hunts to the Texas Heartbeat Act and Abortion Bans across The United States
Open AccessThis thesis will examine some of the most infamous witch trials, their motivators, supporters, and detractors. I will explore our obsession with witches and witchcraft and its relationship to political movements restricting women's rights, specifically abortion care and reproductive health. I will delve into the nature of witchcraft, its history, and the debates about the origin of the practice and its practitioners. From there, making the connection between those accused of witchcraft, their role in medicinal practices, primarily with women and peasant communities, and how those charged with witchcraft relate to the communities most negatively impacted by abortion bans. This thesis will explore the lesser-discussed role class plays as we enter an economic landscape not all that different from the one of Middle Age Europe, with a concentration of the nation’s wealth among a few individuals. Comparing abortion bans with witch hunts is not a one-to-one comparison, but instead, it's a reflection of a need for control and the role distraction can play in maintaining it.
- All rights reserved
Notice to Authors
If you are the author of this work and you have any questions about the information on this page, please use the Contact form to get in touch with us.