A tiny little pill has changed the life of many women around the world and in Germany. In 1961 the first birth control pill was introduced to the German market and after some initial difficulties established itself as the most prominent contraception method with more than 50% of women making use of it in Germany today. I personally found the topic very interesting because it gave me the opportunity to research and reflect about a product I might be taking for granted today, but which in fact has come a long way and has left its marks.

This paper will discuss the influence of the birth control pill on the Germany society by travelling through time and also by elaborating on the role of women throughout the process.
Furthermore some of the learning targets of the seminar will be scrutinized and later on adressed in the allocation of results:

• The influence of users on the innovation of the pill
• The appropriation of the new technology pill by consumers as part of the innovation process
• The consumption good pill as technical product that works as cultural sign

Excerpt

1 Introduction

1.1 Research question and hypotheses
1.2 Source criticism and fields of research

2 Historical background

2.1 Birth control before the introduction of the pill (before 1961)
2.2 The introduction of the pill (1961-1970s)
2.3 The adoption of the pill in long term (1970s - today)

3 Allocation and discussion of the results
4 Conclusion
5 References

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to examine the impact of the birth control pill on German women and society. It explores the pill's transformation from a medical product to a consumer good and its significant effects on societal norms and women's roles. The research utilizes historical analysis to trace the pill's introduction and adoption in Germany, considering both positive and negative societal consequences.

The development and introduction of the birth control pill in Germany.
The social and cultural impact of the pill on German women.
The role of women in driving the development and adoption of the pill.
The transformation of the pill from a medical product to a consumer good.
The long-term consequences of the pill's availability on German society.

Chapter Summaries

1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining the research question – how did the birth control pill influence German women and society? – and presenting two hypotheses: that the pill transformed from a medical product into a consumer good, and that it significantly impacted German society and women's roles. It also briefly discusses the challenges of finding solely German-based scientific sources and outlines the sources used, including materials from the Museum for Contraception in Vienna, government publications, and magazine articles. The chapter concludes by stating the learning targets of the seminar which are: the influence of users on the innovation of the pill, the appropriation of the pill by consumers, and the pill as a technical product and cultural sign.

2 Historical background: This chapter provides a historical overview of the birth control pill's impact, divided into three sections. The first examines birth control methods before the pill's introduction in Germany, highlighting Margaret Sanger's activism in the US and the restrictive environment in Germany under the Third Reich. The second section focuses on the initial years after the pill's introduction in Germany in 1961, noting the slower acceptance compared to the US due to moral concerns. The third section, while not fully detailed in the provided text, will likely address the long-term effects and adoption of the pill, including its influence on birth rates. The chapter emphasizes the role of women in driving the development and acceptance of the pill, contrasting the American experience with the German one.

Keywords

Birth control pill, Germany, women's history, contraception, social change, consumer history, innovation, technology, societal impact, Margaret Sanger, Schering, Anovlar, moral hazards, birth rates.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on the Birth Control Pill in Germany

What is the main topic of this research paper?

The research paper examines the impact of the birth control pill on German women and society. It explores the pill's transformation from a medical product to a consumer good and its significant effects on societal norms and women's roles in Germany.

What are the key research questions and hypotheses?

The central research question is: How did the birth control pill influence German women and society? The two main hypotheses are: 1) The pill transformed from a medical product into a consumer good; and 2) The pill significantly impacted German society and women's roles.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

Key themes include the development and introduction of the birth control pill in Germany; the social and cultural impact on German women; the role of women in driving the development and adoption; the transformation of the pill from a medical product to a consumer good; and the long-term consequences of the pill's availability on German society.

What is the historical scope of the research?

The paper covers three main periods: birth control before the pill's introduction (before 1961); the introduction of the pill (1961-1970s); and the long-term adoption of the pill (1970s-present).

What sources are used in the research?

Sources include materials from the Museum for Contraception in Vienna, government publications, and magazine articles. The paper acknowledges challenges in finding solely German-based scientific sources.

What are the chapter summaries?

Chapter 1 (Introduction): Introduces the research question and hypotheses, discusses source criticism, and outlines the seminar's learning targets (influence of users on innovation, consumer appropriation, and the pill as a technical product and cultural sign).

Chapter 2 (Historical Background): Provides a historical overview of birth control before the pill, the pill's introduction in Germany (1961), and its long-term adoption, emphasizing the role of women and comparing the German and American experiences.

Chapter 3 (Allocation and discussion of the results): Details of this chapter are not provided in the preview.

Chapter 4 (Conclusion): Details of this chapter are not provided in the preview.

Chapter 5 (References): Details of this chapter are not provided in the preview.

What are the key words associated with this research?