Date of Award

1-1-2013

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Anthropology

Content Description

1 online resource (ix, 239 pages) : illustrations (some color)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Walter E. Little

Committee Members

Jennifer Burrell, Elise Andaya

Keywords

Abortion, Human rights, Motherhood, Nicaragua, Reproductive decisions, Obstetrical emergencies, Sex role

Subject Categories

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Abstract

This research examines the anti-abortion legislation that was passed in Nicaragua in 2006. The methods of investigation involve participant/observation and collaboration, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis. Through examination of the legal and medical implications of criminalizing therapeutic abortions, this research demonstrates that the anti-abortion law attempts to enforce traditional gender roles. The abortion debate inspired many questions of morality and motherhood, and that access to therapeutic abortions meant denying `normal' gender roles. While some women internalized these notions, others did not. However, Nicaraguans use the conceptual framework of `salir adelante' as a way to practice agency.

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