The Pill

The 1960s was a time of change though. It was touted as being the era of the sexual revolution. This was due to the shifting of traditional values related to sex and sexuality. Traditional values were now being challenged loudly by a vocal minority. Women were being given a voice. Abortions were illegal and unmarried couples having a child was something to be scared of. The babies who came out of that relationship were differentiated by the use of terms like 'Illegitimate' and 'bastards'. During this time, it was believed that these children would be best adopted out to married infertile couples to save them from a doomed life with an unmarried, emotionally unstable mother.

In 1960, the first oral contraceptive, Enovid, a mix of the hormones progesterone and estrogen, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 'The Pill', as it became known, was made available as a birth control option – to married women only. In 1965, on the USA, 26 states prohibited birth control for unmarried women, and it wasn't made legal for single women until 1972. The pill became extremely popular and despite worries over possible side effects women were anxious to be on this new medication. Such side effects included the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, depression, and weight gain. By the time 1968 rolled around women could then select from 7 different brands of 'The Pill'. The pill has been reviewed and the formulation changed slightly to ensure it is safer for women to use in modern times.

The development of the contraceptive pill was a huge landmark in birth control and gave women control over reproduction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control_in_the_United_States#From_World_War_II_to_1960

https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/conception-and-fertility/birth-control-in-the-60s/

https://www.redbookmag.com/body/pregnancy-fertility/g4283/what-birth-control-was-like-in-every-decade/

https://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book-excerpts/health-article/a-brief-history-of-birth-control/

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/12/50-years-ago-the-birth-control-revolution/