Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Thesis (UNI Access Only)

Abstract

This thesis explores the conversation between legislative decisions, judicial rulings, and societal attitudes surrounding abortion in the United States. The introduction of House Bill 396 by Representative Marzian was a bold move aimed at challenging the gendered societal norms about reproductive rights. Representative Marzian’s bill proposed that men in the state of Kentucky seeking erectile dysfunction medication would need to visit a doctor twice and get written permission from their wives before receiving the medication. In addition, HB396 would require a man to be married and swear on the Bible that he would only use the erectile dysfunction medication when having sexual relations with his spouse.

Representative Marizan wanted to highlight the hypocrisy of regulating a woman’s access to abortion. By using concepts such as the pentad, culture jamming and perspective by incongruity, I argue that she was able to reflect on societal norms and challenge the dominant narrative that constructs women as only being mothers. I argue that Representative Marzian created a culture jam, but only for a brief moment in time. House Bill 396 received national attention, but only for a few days. Anti-abortion legislation continued to pass at all levels of government, but House Bill 396 did create a conversation on a national level, if only briefly. Even though House Bill 396 was one small effort in an attempt to change the rhetoric of abortion, it was still meaningful and one piece in the fight for abortion access.

Year of Submission

2024

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Women's and Gender Studies Program

First Advisor

Catherine Palczewski

Date Original

2024

Object Description

1 PDF file (110 pages)

Language

en

Download
Off-Campus Download

Comments?

Share

COinS