Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Griswold v. Connecticut
Jun 7, 2025
This discussion delves into the landmark case Griswold v. Connecticut, which struck down laws banning contraception for married couples. It highlights the historical context of the Comstock laws and their effects on reproductive rights. The episode explores the evolution of legal access to contraception in the U.S. and the significant role of advocates like Estelle Griswold. It addresses the key implications for privacy rights and how this decision continues to influence modern legal battles surrounding reproductive freedoms.
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Doctors Shut Birth Control Clinics
- Two doctors shut down their Connecticut birth control clinic after facing legal pressure under anti-contraception law.
- This caused other clinics to close, suppressing contraceptive access in the state.
Opening Clinic to Challenge Law
- Estelle Griswold and Charles Lee Buxton opened a contraceptive clinic in Connecticut knowing it was illegal.
- They got arrested to create a legal challenge, leading to the Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court case.
Marital Privacy as Constitutional Right
- Griswold v. Connecticut established a constitutional "right of marital privacy" not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
- The court argued this right is within the "penumbra" of existing Bill of Rights amendments creating zones of privacy.