Sexuality
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Exploring one's sexuality during the time period of the musical was nearly impossible with the standards and rules set by society. However, adolescents became either very good at sublimating their sexual needs or were very discreet in satisfying them (Fishman). Their social class greatly affected this as well. Students of higher rank were able to satisfy these needs easier than those of a lower class (Fishman). This put those in the lower classes at a disadvantage, making it difficult for them to learn about their bodies and what is to come with adulthood.
Asking questions about adulthood was not tolerated, especially questions regarding sex and pregnancy. Those were not meant to be topics of discussion, especially since adolescence was a new idea during the late 1800's. One was either a child or an adult, there was no in between. This led to many young individuals feeling frustrated. Rather than being educated on these topics, they were left in the dark and forced to figure it out on their own, as we witness between Melchior and Wendla. |
Sex Education
Sex education in Germany was non-existent during the 19th century. Asking questions in school outside of class topics was heavily frowned upon, specifically question regarding sex and maturity. Learning about adolescence and sexuality was not available to students at school, but it was not something to be discussed in the home either. It was not uncommon for parents to avoid the subject, or for children to be scolded for asking about such things. Sex was seen as filthy unless it was for the purpose of having children; however, they would not discuss how children are created (Fishman). Anything involving sex was not to be discussed, despite the fact that children and pregnancy were seen as a blessing in the eyes of the church.
This is why masturbation was so heavily frowned upon and considered a sin. One was not supposed to engage in sexual acts unless there was a possibility of procreation, which masturbation rules out. It was also thought that it would lead to disease, acne, bashfulness, sudden changes in disposition, homicidal rage, as well as a loss of "vital energy" making youth, especially teenagers, more susceptible to these symptoms, despite the fact that some of these (hopefully not all of them) are common among teenagers (Neuman). Masturbation was seen as the destroyer of civilized society and was not permitted in the slightest, especially since it was thought that masturbation would lead to homosexuality. Homosexuality was illegal in Germany at the time, which is why we see our characters struggle with their own sexuality during the events of the musical. It was not a choice for them at the time, and they knew that. Rather than educating and uplifting their students, Germany chose to withhold information regarding sex education, and hurt their youth in the process.
This is why masturbation was so heavily frowned upon and considered a sin. One was not supposed to engage in sexual acts unless there was a possibility of procreation, which masturbation rules out. It was also thought that it would lead to disease, acne, bashfulness, sudden changes in disposition, homicidal rage, as well as a loss of "vital energy" making youth, especially teenagers, more susceptible to these symptoms, despite the fact that some of these (hopefully not all of them) are common among teenagers (Neuman). Masturbation was seen as the destroyer of civilized society and was not permitted in the slightest, especially since it was thought that masturbation would lead to homosexuality. Homosexuality was illegal in Germany at the time, which is why we see our characters struggle with their own sexuality during the events of the musical. It was not a choice for them at the time, and they knew that. Rather than educating and uplifting their students, Germany chose to withhold information regarding sex education, and hurt their youth in the process.
By: BB
The History of Abortion
Abortions have been practiced since ancient times, but it’s legality and availability has been threatened consistently. In the early Roman Catholic Church, abortions on male fetuses were permitted for the first 40 days of pregnancy, and for females the first 80-90 days. This was until 1588 after Pope Sixtus V declared all abortions to be murder, with excommunication as the punishment. Three years later, a new Pope declared this unreasonable and allowed early abortions once again. When the church reached the 19th century, Pius IX declared abortions to be murder. This is the Roman Catholic Church’s standing today.
The Soviet Union became the first modern state to formally legalize abortions in 1920. Abortions became available in state operated facilities. Due to the events of World War II, the facilities were shut down and abortions were made illegal. Nazi Germany had severe punishments for Aryan abortions, but permitted them if it was believed the fetus was deformed, disabled, a possible carrier of genetic diseases, or Jewish. In the German Crimean Code it was written, “a woman who kills her fetus or permits such a killing by another will be punished by a prison sentence and, in especially serious cases, by penitentiary. An attempt is punishable. Whoever else kills the fetus of a pregnant woman will be punished by a penitentiary sentence, in milder cases by prison. If the perpetrator through such deeds continuously impairs the vitality of the German Volk, the death penalty can be imposed. Whoever procures for the pregnant woman a means or objects for killing the fetus will be punished by prison sentence, and in especially serious cases, by penitentiary (Wikipedia 2013)”. During the rest of World War II, the abortion policies in Nazi Germany varied depending on the group of people and territory. Following World War II, women were encouraged to enter the workforce and abortions were made legal once again. The constitutional right to abortion wasn’t written into law until the revolutionary case, Roe V. Wade.
In 1969, a 20-year-old woman named Norma Mcorvey sought to terminate her pregnancy. She had grown up in poverish circumstances, and had already been through 2 pregnancies; both children were given up for adoption. Her home state, Texas had legalized abortion, but only if the mother's life was at risk. Other American women with financial support could afford to travel to another state or bribe a doctor, but this wasn’t an option for Mcorvey and many other women. This often resulted in dangerous, "back-alley” or self-induced abortions. From the 1950s to the 1960s, it was estimated that 200,000 to 1.2 million illegal abortions were performed a year. After an unsuccessful attempt to get a legal abortion, McCorvey was referred to Texas attorneys Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddigton, who hoped to challenge abortion restrictions. McCorvey was known as "Jane Roe" in court documents.
In 1970, Coffee and Weddington filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County. This was on behalf of McCorvey as well as all women "who were or might become pregnant and want to consider all options (History 2022)".
During the summer of 1970, a Texas district court ruled the abortion law illegal since it violated a constitutional right to privacy. Wade continued to prosecute doctors who allowed access to abortions. The case was appealed to the US Supreme Court; during this time McCovey was forced to give birth to her child, which she later put up for adoption. It wasn't until January 22nd, 1973, in a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the Texas law banning abortion. The court declared the right to an abortion was protected by the right to privacy stated in the 14th Amendment. This lead to the legalization of abortion in all 50 states.
The Supreme Court had divided pregnancy into 3 trimesters. During the first trimester, the choice was completely up to the woman. In the second trimester, the government was allowed to regulate the abortion to protect the mother's health, but couldn't ban it. Only in the third trimester the government could prohibit an abortion since the fetus could survive outside the womb, unless the mother's health was at risk.
Since Roe v. Wade, many states have signed abortion restrictions into law, limiting a woman's right to choose. America continues to remain divided on this issue. (History 2022)
The Soviet Union became the first modern state to formally legalize abortions in 1920. Abortions became available in state operated facilities. Due to the events of World War II, the facilities were shut down and abortions were made illegal. Nazi Germany had severe punishments for Aryan abortions, but permitted them if it was believed the fetus was deformed, disabled, a possible carrier of genetic diseases, or Jewish. In the German Crimean Code it was written, “a woman who kills her fetus or permits such a killing by another will be punished by a prison sentence and, in especially serious cases, by penitentiary. An attempt is punishable. Whoever else kills the fetus of a pregnant woman will be punished by a penitentiary sentence, in milder cases by prison. If the perpetrator through such deeds continuously impairs the vitality of the German Volk, the death penalty can be imposed. Whoever procures for the pregnant woman a means or objects for killing the fetus will be punished by prison sentence, and in especially serious cases, by penitentiary (Wikipedia 2013)”. During the rest of World War II, the abortion policies in Nazi Germany varied depending on the group of people and territory. Following World War II, women were encouraged to enter the workforce and abortions were made legal once again. The constitutional right to abortion wasn’t written into law until the revolutionary case, Roe V. Wade.
In 1969, a 20-year-old woman named Norma Mcorvey sought to terminate her pregnancy. She had grown up in poverish circumstances, and had already been through 2 pregnancies; both children were given up for adoption. Her home state, Texas had legalized abortion, but only if the mother's life was at risk. Other American women with financial support could afford to travel to another state or bribe a doctor, but this wasn’t an option for Mcorvey and many other women. This often resulted in dangerous, "back-alley” or self-induced abortions. From the 1950s to the 1960s, it was estimated that 200,000 to 1.2 million illegal abortions were performed a year. After an unsuccessful attempt to get a legal abortion, McCorvey was referred to Texas attorneys Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddigton, who hoped to challenge abortion restrictions. McCorvey was known as "Jane Roe" in court documents.
In 1970, Coffee and Weddington filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County. This was on behalf of McCorvey as well as all women "who were or might become pregnant and want to consider all options (History 2022)".
During the summer of 1970, a Texas district court ruled the abortion law illegal since it violated a constitutional right to privacy. Wade continued to prosecute doctors who allowed access to abortions. The case was appealed to the US Supreme Court; during this time McCovey was forced to give birth to her child, which she later put up for adoption. It wasn't until January 22nd, 1973, in a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the Texas law banning abortion. The court declared the right to an abortion was protected by the right to privacy stated in the 14th Amendment. This lead to the legalization of abortion in all 50 states.
The Supreme Court had divided pregnancy into 3 trimesters. During the first trimester, the choice was completely up to the woman. In the second trimester, the government was allowed to regulate the abortion to protect the mother's health, but couldn't ban it. Only in the third trimester the government could prohibit an abortion since the fetus could survive outside the womb, unless the mother's health was at risk.
Since Roe v. Wade, many states have signed abortion restrictions into law, limiting a woman's right to choose. America continues to remain divided on this issue. (History 2022)
What Abortion Rights Look Like Today
According to Planned Parenthood, 4 in 10 unplanned pregnancies result in abortion. It is estimated 1 in 4 US women will have an abortion by the time they're 45. They have also learned 6 in 10 people who have abortions already have kids. Either methods of abortion, the pill or in-clinic procedure, are both safe options to terminate a pregnancy. The long term risks only increase the farther along one becomes in their pregnancy. Many of the side effects such as nausea, vaginal blood clots, infection, are rare and easy to treat with the proper medicine. The media often makes us think an abortion is an extreme procedure that can end in catastrophic results, but that is not the case. Doctors and nurses can provide you with more information on either method, as well as address any other concerns you may have. (Planned Parenthood)
Today, there is a lot of unknown as well as fear regarding abortion rights in the US. Since the recent overturning on Roe V. Wade, which has protected reproductive rights for nearly 50 years, has given the states complete control of abortion laws. 11 states have already banned abortion access, excluding cases of rape, incest, and risk of the mother's health. 15 states are beginning the process of prohibiting abortions. 3 states don't have laws protecting the right to an abortion. 11 states have laws protecting abortion access. 8 states are have laws providing expanded access to abortions (Center for Reproductive Rights 2022). Many US citizens will be forced to travel thousand of miles to receive legal and safe abortions; which for many of them isn’t an option due to lack of resources. This may lead them to take matters into their own hands. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, about 21.5 million unsafe abortions are performed worldwide every year. 4.7-13.2% of these abortions result in death (WHO) Spring Awakening demonstrates a fraction of the consequences that follow an unsafe abortion. By providing access to safe abortions, we can bring this statistic down. If we provide more resources regarding sex education and contraceptives, we will see a decrease in the amount of safe abortions in the US by offering in-depth education to our society.
Today, there is a lot of unknown as well as fear regarding abortion rights in the US. Since the recent overturning on Roe V. Wade, which has protected reproductive rights for nearly 50 years, has given the states complete control of abortion laws. 11 states have already banned abortion access, excluding cases of rape, incest, and risk of the mother's health. 15 states are beginning the process of prohibiting abortions. 3 states don't have laws protecting the right to an abortion. 11 states have laws protecting abortion access. 8 states are have laws providing expanded access to abortions (Center for Reproductive Rights 2022). Many US citizens will be forced to travel thousand of miles to receive legal and safe abortions; which for many of them isn’t an option due to lack of resources. This may lead them to take matters into their own hands. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, about 21.5 million unsafe abortions are performed worldwide every year. 4.7-13.2% of these abortions result in death (WHO) Spring Awakening demonstrates a fraction of the consequences that follow an unsafe abortion. By providing access to safe abortions, we can bring this statistic down. If we provide more resources regarding sex education and contraceptives, we will see a decrease in the amount of safe abortions in the US by offering in-depth education to our society.
By: BS