I got rhythm: Gershwin and birth control in the 1930s.
Gershwin's song 'I Got Rhythm' serves here as a backdrop representing the social context of the inter-war years. On center stage is a particular aspect of the history of birth control--the application of a new theory of ovulation to contraception. Starting in 1928, a series of experiments revealed a biochemical rhythm in the female reproductive cycle, which contradicted the widespread idea that ovulation and pregnancy could occur at any time. This discovery was applied to a new contraceptive method, the rhythm method, which enjoyed significant popularity during the 1930s, especially among Catholics. For a short period, women could join Ethel Merman in the refrain 'I got rhythm, I got my man, who could ask for anything more?' But the rhythm method has not lived to its promise, and the play goes on em leader
Viterbo
Paula
P
History Department, Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA. pviterbo@brynmawr.edu
D003267:Contraception / Q000266:history; D004324:Drama / Q000266:history; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009146:Music / Q000266:history*; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods / Q000266:history*; D010061:Ovulation Detection / Q000266:history*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States