ABORTION LEGISLATION IN ARGENTINA: A STUDY OF DISCOURSE IN PRO-LIFE AND PRO-CHOICE ACTIVIST GROUPS

Abstract

Argentina was the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage in spite of the Catholic Church’s opposition. However, abortion remains illegal in all cases except those of rape and of risk to health or life of the mother. This study investigates why abortion legislation has not been liberalized in Argentina despite strong international pressure to do so. The Catholic Church has historically held much influence in Latin America, and Pope Francis is Argentinean. The main hypothesis, then, was that the continued illegality was due to this institution’s influence. I analyzed the discourse of seven pro-choice and eight pro-life Argentinean activists and found that this was not the case. Rather, the human rights movement seems to have a stronger influence than religion on both sides of the debate. Further research will have to be conducted to determine if this result is generalizable.