Soft Sterilization: Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives in the Carceral State

Abstract

In the United States, between 1907 and 1978, the proliferation of eugenic state practices routinely targeted institutionalized women with legalized involuntary sterilization. Sterilization laws and policies were a form of reproductive control, which predominantly impacted women from marginalized communities. After the implementation of federal regulations prohibiting involuntary sterilization practices, state agencies continued to engage in coercive sterilization under the guise of “voluntariness.” Using a reproductive justice framework, we introduce a concept of reproductive control embedded within the carceral state. Tracing historical sterilization practices and examining the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), we argue that LARC represents a different form of involuntary sterilization. The emergence of LARC as a highly effective, nonagentive, and mediated form of contraception for vulnerable populations demands interrogation. We identify the use of LARC as soft sterilization, which is both related to and distinct from other forms of reproductive control. As such, reproductive autonomy is not possible without the destruction of the carceral state.

Applying a Reproductive Justice Lens to Enhance Research Engagement Among Systematically Underrepresented Childbearing Women

“…Historically, there has been an erasure of systematically minoritized women regarding sexual and reproductive health within policy, legislation, equitable research methods, and healthcare practices (Brown et al, 2021; Marchevsky, 2021). Women of color have practices such as forced (Brown et al, 2021; Marchevsky, 2021) or “soft” (Winters & McLaughlin, 2020) sterilization in the form of total hysterectomies or long-acting reversible contraceptives such as intrauterine devices imposed without full informed consent or participation. As such, the historical mistrust of researchers that often exists among underserved childbearing populations is not unfounded.…”

What is Known About Reproductive Autonomy Among Justice-Involved Black Women?: A Scoping Review

“…The most common types of contraceptives among women in the United States are female sterilization (18.6%) and oral birth control pills (12.6%) as compared with LARCs (10.3%) (CDC, 2019). However, evidence has shown that justice-involved Black women are encouraged to use LARCs as a first-line recommendation instead of to other forms of contraception (Brandi & Fuentes, 2020; Holt et al, 2020; Winters & McLaughlin, 2020). In a 2019 review of policies related to contraception in jail and prison systems, only 65% of systems had written policies related to contraception with limited authorization in giving choice/options to justice-involved women related to their birth control (Cheedalla & Sufrin, 2021) which further supports our findings that reproductive autonomy is limited in this population.…”

Contraception among women on probation and parole on the United States–Mexico border

“…Continuation post‐incarceration requires access to reliable care in the community. If women decide to discontinue their method and restore fertility, without access to safe removal, they may be forced to continue contraception without consent (Winters & McLaughlin, 2020).…”