CHS 406: Reproduction and Society

Reproductive health and well-being involve a responsible, safe and satisfying sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to control one's reproductive capabilities. This implies access to safe, effective, and affordable methods of fertility regulation and appropriate health care services that enable women to safely experience pregnancy and childbirth. In this course, we examine the social context of various reproductive health issues, including pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood, reproductive rights, and traditional and alternative ways of creating families. We will also address the social and political implications of reproductive health practices like abortion, social freezing, surrogate motherhood, and determinants of poor reproductive health outcomes, including violence towards women, sexually transmitted diseases, and social, environmental, and behavioral hazards.