legalization of birth control

In Canada in the early 20th century birth control was a highly contentious issue. Before 1929 birth control was an obscene, immoral and unnatural topic. It was broached only by the odd feminist or left-wing group. Section 179c (substituted by Section 207 in 1900) of the 1892 Criminal Code made the sale or advertisement of contraceptives an indictable offense up until the Code was amended in 1969. During the years 1930-1936 the mindset of Canadians began to shift toward approval of the use and legalization of contraceptives. This movement originated from middle-class Canadian concerns over population and the economic stability of Canada along with concerns over maternal health. Many women involved in the movement argued women had a right to birth control and the control over their own bodies, this view however was overshadowed by the economic and social arguments presented by the leaders of the movement. Throughout these years there was much opposition to the legalization of birth control. The proponents of birth control were equated in the minds of many with either sexual radicals or reactionary Malthusians. The Roman Catholic Church opposed birth control vehemently because it allowed for the separation of sexuality and procreation. It is argued that the birth control movement stemmed from the Depression in the 1930’s.
Canadian fertility started its decline early in the 19th century. It dropped about 30% between the years of 1851 and 1891. This long term decline in fertility was offset by the number of young, prolific immigrants arriving in Canada seeking a new and better life. Statistics show average Canadian families had 4.1 children for parents who were born in 1871; whereas parents born in 1911 had an average of 2.9 ...

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... patriarchic relationship was endangered by birth control.
The charges against Dorthea Palmer were dismissed after the defense successfully proved that Palmers actions were done solely in service of the public good. The economic and eugenic arguments in favour of birth control carried the day and the trial. Also, the down playing of the ability of contraceptives to liberate women with a stress on the pro-family, pro-health applications of birth control helped support the defense. The trial demonstrated that for the most part the law was not a reflection of the state of public opinion in Canada in 1936. This was a turning point in contraceptive history in Canada, although the law condemning birth control remained the mindset of many Canadians had shifted. Birth control was now seen as a respectable and necessary means of pushing society in a positive direction.