1. SAGE Lecture Spark
[2/24/19]
The Publisher of the Social Sciences

2. Trump Administration Curbs Federal Funding for Abortion Clinics
“Clinics will…not [be able to tell patients] where they can get [an abortion]…Clinics will no longer have to counsel women on all reproductive options, including abortion.”
“Some of these changes are being challenged in lawsuits…but the new policies have broad support among evangelicals, who are a big part of the president’s political base.

3. America’s Deep Divisions on Display in Abortion Debate
“Several bills in state legislatures have energized activists on both sides of the debate—no more so than Mr. Trump…an unexpectedly strong ally of America’s pro-life movement.”
“Sixty percent of Americans believe abortion should be legal in the first trimester. However, 65 percent of Americans said abortion should be illegal in the second trimester.”

4. The Global Gag Rule Undermines’ Ivanka’s Plan to Empower Women
The global gag rule “prevents organizations abroad from receiving money from the US government if they discuss, let alone perform, abortions.”
“In her op-ed, Ivanka writes the White House plan should not be considered a “women’s issue,” because it benefits whole communities — but this emphasis hints at missing language around health.”

5. Meet Trump’s Anti-Gay Official Trying to Defund Planned Parenthood
“The [DHHS] may be the worst in the Trump administration…run by an evangelical cabal that has made…the religious right’s agenda its top priority.”
“A recent pamphlet for the group [Bowman participated in] carries this line: ‘Abortion, Homosexuality, Islam—three different gloves, one fist…[seeing] no distinction between reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights.”

6. Key Concepts
Morality, Minorities, and Mass Media
Coverage of political division surrounding reproductive health is closely linked to personal perspectives on human rights, particularly those of minorities.
Polarization of personal moralities within political bases has very real implications for people’s ability to seek safe health care.

7. Assessment
Writing: How have media outlets connected funding for reproductive care to the issue of human rights?
Debate: Is the discussion of reproductive rights in politics a moral issue? If so, why? If not, is it then a private issue?
Poll: Do voter’s personal views of morality affect larger policies on healthcare?
Yes, No, Unsure
Short Answer: How does the media coverage of reproductive healthcare contribute to the polarization of the political bases?
Current Events Quiz
According to the new policies on reproductive health, abortion clinics can no longer _____.
Sixty-five percent of Americans believe abortion should be _____.
Because of the Global Gag Rule, organizations abroad cannot _____.
The Trump administration’s DHHS official was associated with a group that argued _____, _____, and _____ are all the same issue.
The funding from clinics providing abortions will now be diverted to _____.
Answers
Tell patients where they can get an abortion.
Illegal in the second trimester
Discuss abortions
Abortion, homosexuality, and Islam
Support of Evangelical groups

8.
Abortion is extremely common. In America, for example, one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime, yet the strong emotions sparked by the topic — and the highly politicized rhetoric around it — leave little room for thoughtful, open debate. In this personal, thoughtful talk, Aspen Baker makes the case for being neither “pro-life” nor “pro-choice” but rather "pro-voice" — and for the roles that listening and storytelling can play when it comes to discussing difficult topics.

9.
The Republic of Ireland recently voted overwhelmingly to overturn the abortion ban by 66.4% to 33.6%. Currently, abortion is only allowed when a woman's life is at risk, but not in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality. Here's how people on the streets of Ireland reacted to the vote.