Abortion Goes Mainstream: Abortion (De)stigmatization strategies in the eyes of activists
- Mar 4, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: May 7, 2025
Alex Filipiak
Abstract:
Abortion stigma is a multifaceted issue impacting both those seeking abortions and activists supporting them. Rooted in societal norms and power dynamics, this stigma reflects Goffman’s concepts of moral and tribal blemishes. It manifests through negative discourse, structural fears, and internalized shame, exacerbating isolation and marginalization for clients. Activists face enacted stigma, including harassment and abuse, while working to destigmatize abortion. Transnational networks like Abortion Without Borders provide essential support, aiming to decriminalize abortion and shift public perception. Their efforts encompass both practical assistance and broader advocacy, challenging stigma and advocating for reproductive justice. This research, based on authography (personal experiences as an abortion activist), interviews, netnography and ethnography aims to explore the scope of the abortion stigma and the destigmatization methods. The implications of this research suggest that addressing abortion stigma requires both cultural and legal shifts. Destigmatization involves decriminalizing abortion, normalizing it as routine healthcare, and challenging the societal structures that perpetuate stigma. By reshaping public discourse and aligning reproductive rights with broader social justice movements, activists aim to foster greater societal acceptance of abortion and dismantle the power dynamics that restrict bodily autonomy.
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