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The Social Imagination: A Sociological Analysis

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When a woman chooses to keep her baby, it may not be her decision; it may be her moral duty to the society influenced by her family’s pressure and religious belief. However, if she considers the broad social factors that will shape and influence her views, and that will allow her to make individual choices such as whether to keep her baby or not, she is applying what C. Wright Mills’ called the Social Imagination. James Henslin (2013) stated that C. Wright Mills’s sociological imagination gives us the ability “to understand how our personal troubles (the problems we experience) are connected to the broader conditions of our society” (p. 2). It allows us to question the “norms” and gives us the ability to see things from different perspectives …show more content…

In Poland, unless a woman is a rape victim or her health is in danger, abortion is considered a crime. Still, because of Poland 's strict abortion laws that are highly motivated by conservative politicians and the Catholic church, a woman can be refused an abortion despite the implications that having another baby could make her go blind (Alicja Tysiac v Poland). Compared to Poland – abortion in South Africa is legal but unavailable, particularly for black women. One young lady named Liz (Sarah Diehl 's first case study ) — a rape victim, related her tragic story of how her parents kicked her to the street when they found out that she is pregnant. She is forced to rest on park benches and in shopping malls, while pregnant. She literally sleeps with one eye open, afraid of being raped again. In the documentary, it seems that women in South Africa have a much more tough time obtaining information and services in public hospitals because of the influence of pro-life advocates that reinforces the stigma of abortion (Abortion Democracy). This, in my opinion, contributes to the harsh and judgmental attitude of medical staffs who refuse to perform or partake in safe abortion care. Bottom line, despite the differences in abortion policies and laws regulating abortions – both Polish and South African women, struggle dearly for their rights and recognition as they live out the widespread impact of religious fanaticism, sexism, violence, and

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