Date of Award

Winter 12-15-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Department

Political Science & International Relations

Advisor

Dr. Karen Shelby

Abstract

Within the past decade, conservative reproductive politics in the United States have experienced an ideological shift from pro-life toward pronatalism. This has been intensified through the rollback of reproductive rights and the rise of Christian nationalism. However, there has been no commensurate additional funding for the foster care system. This project asks the interrelated questions of: “how is pronatalism linked to neglect within the foster care system?; and, how do theories of democratic care highlight the necessity to rethink support for the foster care system and create policies that will address its shortcomings, given the rise of pronatalist aw and policy?”

Previous scholarship has examined both the effects of abortion restriction and family policy through legal and demographic analyses, which demonstrate that restrictive reproductive laws increase birth rates and strain foster care systems. My research examines pronatalist ideology in nationalist political and religious motivations. Simultaneously, ethical and democratic failures of care, evidenced by inadequate funding of social systems in the United States, lead to a lower quality of life for minors in foster care systems. I will combine political theory with empirical data to demonstrate how compelled birth without adequate governmental support undermines the possibility of a quality life for these individuals.

Drawing from studies by JAMA Pediatrics, this project uses quantitative data showcasing the background of those entering the foster care system. It then situates the findings within a theoretical framework, informed by Joan Tronto's Caring Democracy and Gabrielle Blair’s Ejaculate Responsibly. Lastly, I utilize the case study documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez to illustrate the consequences of institutional neglect within the foster care system.

This study finds that the pronatalist ideological shift prioritizes the production of life over the quality of life, while creating systemic neglect. This contradicts democratic and moral principles of care. A democratic system grounded in care must reassign responsibility across institutions to support the flourishing of children.

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