FERREE 2003

Introduction to the Abortion Debates

• Comparison of feminist framing in abortion debates in the U.S. and Germany in the period 1970-94.

• Key focus on discursive opportunities and their impact on movement success and strategic framing.

• Main argument: Cultural resonance does not equal movement success; some speakers opt for radical framing.

Cultural Resonance vs. Movement Success

• Cultural resonance refers to how movement framing aligns with societal values; it is not solely responsible for movement success.

• In Germany, narratives around women’s victimization gain mainstream acceptance, while destigmatizing abortion gets marginalized.

• The opposite is true in the United States.

• Acknowledgment of the cultural turn in social movement theory emphasizes discourse's role in shaping feminist strategies.

Framing and Power Relations

• Issues surrounding framing include:

  • Ambiguity of cultural resonance, often not defined independently of outcomes.

  • How dominant discourses shape expected speech and ideology.

  • The strategic importance of different speakers' framing choices within the same movement.

• Speakers may intentionally avoid resonance to express radical ideas.

Discursive Opportunity Structures

• Discursive opportunities influenced by institutional frameworks that define acceptable narratives in each country.

• In the U.S., framing focuses on privacy; in Germany, it focuses on protection and societal welfare.

• Movement success often involves making political choices that marginalize certain voices and perspectives.

Distinction between Mainstream and Radical Positions

• Mainstream feminism in each country frames abortion access according to the discursive norms prevalent.

• Institutional support for certain narratives leads to the exclusion of radical perspectives, which might otherwise push for broader societal change.

Legal Frameworks and Ideologies

• Comparative discussion of constitutional court decisions in the 1970s.

  • U.S. views abortion largely as a matter of individual choice within the context of privacy rights.

  • Germany affirms state obligations to protect fetuses while acknowledging women’s social and economic needs.

Feminist Repertoires: Individualism vs. Protectionism

• Feminist claims include:

  • Individualist framing: Grounded in liberal political theory focusing on autonomy and individual rights.

  • Protectionist framing: Based on the necessity for state support and protection in women’s reproduction.

• Strategies to maintain visibility and relevance in media discourse.

Mainstream Media Discourse and Representation

• Analysis reveals:

  • In Germany, feminist arguments emphasize self-determination as women’s rights.

  • U.S. arguments focus more on individual autonomy, often de-emphasizing the gendered aspects of abortion rights.

• The structural differences in media representation lead to distinct public perceptions of the abortion issue.

Radical Perspectives and Marginalization

• Exploration of how certain frames, especially those addressing systemic issues faced by vulnerable populations, become marginalized.

• The need for a supportive discourse for women facing poverty, coercion, or discrimination remains largely unaddressed in mainstream narratives.

Conclusion: Implications for Feminist Movements

• A nuanced understanding of the interplay between discourse, power, and social movements can elucidate why certain feminist perspectives are sidelined.

• Emphasizing long-term transformations and the value of radical ideas can play a crucial role in redefining notions of success and representation in feminist movements.