Wordless Social Commentary

A century ago in the US, it was illegal to provide information about contraception. But Where Are My Children?—a 1916 silent film directed by Lois Weber “paved the way for American cinema to openly discuss birth control,” writes Rebecca Kaplan.
 
The film stirred sympathy for a doctor distributing birth control information, while demonizing another who performs abortions—and his wealthy clients. In fact, women of all classes explored options to prevent or end pregnancies—but the film reinforced support for birth control for poor women and motherhood for rich women, in keeping with beliefs rooted in eugenics common at the time.
 
Distillations (Science History Institute)