Colonialism, Catholicism, and Contraception

The authors analyze the tortuous course that Puerto Rico has followed in evolving a population policy, highlighting the island's rapid economic growth, its role as a laboratory for testing different methods of birth control, and the inevitable conflicts between church and state. The strands of colonialism, Catholicism, and contraception are woven into a background of profound social change, characterized by shifting values, industrialization, mass emigration, and technical innovation. Originally published 1983.