Political Demography: The Banning of Abortion in Ceausescu's Romania

1. Law 770 in 1966

1.1. Prohibits abortion with a few exceptions

1.1.1. by 67 the birthrate is back up

2. Birthrate in Romania had fallen due to legalized abortion

3. traditional Romanian family is Patriarchial

4. After abortion is prohibited the birthrate skyrockets

4.1. Added childcare and promotes appliances and semi prepared foods

5. in 1983 the birthrate drops again

6. Paternalistic State

6.1. Illegal abortions and unwanted children

6.1.1. AIDS infected transfusions

6.2. Creates unhealthy people

6.3. criminals

7. Urban women could get contraceptives on the black market

8. it was believe gypsy women didn't have abortions

9. Some families abandoned their infants because they had limited food to eat

10. Revolution 1989

10.1. Abortions made legal

10.1.1. 70-100 abortions daily

10.2. contraceptives made available

10.3. AIDS research

11. Ceausescu's Reign

12. Mothers who bore many children were known as heroes

12.1. Heroine Mother, Order of Maternal Glory

13. "Supreme Joy, Supreme Responsibility"

13.1. Contributions of 25 yo and older, regardless or marital status

14. Healthcare providers who performed illegal abortions were imprisoned

15. From 1865-1989 9,452 women died from complications of illegal abortions