Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 01/08: Do you think Jack was murdered or was it an accident?
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: brokeplex on January 27, 2008, 08:20:10 pm ---But if the alternative to marrying Jack is an "unwed mother" situation or an illegal abortion (this was 1966 pre-Roe times) ,then she would have married him.
--- End quote ---
Tell you what, this is something I've wondered about. If the Newsomes didn't have anything else, at least they had money, and my impression is that even in pre-Roe times, if a family had money, these situations could be "taken care of." On the other hand, we're also talking the Texas Panhandle here; what might be the cultural ethos even for a family with money in 1966?
How about it, Texans? What do you think?
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on January 27, 2008, 09:42:17 pm ---Tell you what, this is something I've wondered about. If the Newsomes didn't have anything else, at least they had money, and my impression is that even in pre-Roe times, if a family had money, these situations could be "taken care of." On the other hand, we're also talking the Texas Panhandle here; what might be the cultural ethos even for a family with money in 1966?
How about it, Texans? What do you think?
--- End quote ---
Jeff, she could have gotten the abortion, but it would have been illegal in Texas up until the Roe decision in 1973. Sure the Newsomes could have afforded an abortion, but the alternative of her marrying Jack was a better one, and women who got abortions couldn't really have done it in total secret in a small town, she would have gotten talked about.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: brokeplex on January 28, 2008, 12:19:54 am ---Jeff, she could have gotten the abortion, but it would have been illegal in Texas up until the Roe decision in 1973. Sure the Newsomes could have afforded an abortion, but the alternative of her marrying Jack was a better one, and women who got abortions couldn't really have done it in total secret in a small town, she would have gotten talked about.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, 'plex. :)
I suppose she could have "gone away for awhile" and given up the baby, too.
People in small towns do talk. They probably could not keep gossip about Jack's death from spreading, either.
moremojo:
--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on January 27, 2008, 09:42:17 pm ---If the Newsomes didn't have anything else, at least they had money, and my impression is that even in pre-Roe times, if a family had money, these situations could be "taken care of." On the other hand, we're also talking the Texas Panhandle here; what might be the cultural ethos even for a family with money in 1966?
How about it, Texans? What do you think?
--- End quote ---
Even without being particularly wealthy by mid- to late-60's Texas standards, it was possible for a woman living then in that state to travel to another state where abortion had been legalized (California, for example) and have the procedure performed. It would have been even easier for a woman of Lureen's position and wealth--though admittedly, religious and/or cultural scruples could have come into play in not opting for that route.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: moremojo on January 28, 2008, 02:27:48 pm ---Even without being particularly wealthy by mid- to late-60's Texas standards, it was possible for a woman living then in that state to travel to another state where abortion had been legalized (California, for example) and have the procedure performed. It would have been even easier for a woman of Lureen's position and wealth--though admittedly, religious and/or cultural scruples could have come into play in not opting for that route.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, Scott! I did not know that abortion was legal anywhere in the U.S. before Roe.
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