Motherhood in Bondage

Rating:
Summary: An excellent history lesson and educational tool!
Review: I am a community sexual health educator and I consider this book as one of my most valuable tools. The book is a compilation of letters from people (women and men) seeking advice about contraception and family planning during a time in history (not so long ago) when this subject was illegal. Legislation known as the Comstock Laws made it impossible for even married couples to gain information and services that would allow them to plan the size and timing of their families.

Each letter in this book conveys desperation and heart ache. Children died or were raised in devistating poverty simply out of ignorance. As my young students read the letters, they get the deepest sense of connection to history at a very personal level and they recognize the important privilage and responsibility that they now have with safe and legal access to family planning services.

This book is inspirational and invaluable. An excellent reminder of "the way things were."