Emotions and Abortion Rights Activism in Argentina
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Abstract
The struggle for abortion rights is shaped not only by ideological disputes but also by various emotions. These feelings hold public and political significance. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the emotional dimensions of abortion rights activism in Argentina (2018–2024). It is based on 52 interviews with activists, as well as theoretical and empirical studies on emotions, politics, and social movements, particularly those with a feminist perspective. The analysis highlights ways in which emotions politicize the social reality of abortion while also fueling and shaping the fight for this right. They also influence the conceptualization of abortion and affect forms of protest. Finally, emotions imprint the memory of the struggle and reveal the effort involved in this activism, while also pointing to the challenges ahead.
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