Keyword – press representation

Koloh, Gábor:

The Theory and Practice of Pronatalism: The Story of an Abortionist Doctor

In the interwar period, Hungarian society underwent a major structural transformation: although the population was growing, owing to the arrival of refugees after the Trianon Treaty, internal migration and, above all, the decline in birth rate led to a profound demographic debate about the future of the country and its people. The governments of the Horthy Era pursued a pronatalist policy which involved the overt acceptance of revisionist demands. The social practice of birth control was openly criticised, and the press regularly reported on the trials of women who had had abortions and the midwives and doctors who had assisted and induced them. One such case was the trial of Imre Kincses, a doctor in Vésztő (Békés County), whose actions were depicted in dark coulours by the press as the trial progressed. However, Kincses, who was sentenced to one year in prison, did everything in his power to secure his release and his plea for pardon submitted to Regent Miklós Horthy was acknowledged. This paper examines the background and media coverage of the case by analysing relevant press articles and trial material.

Keywords: birth control, presidential pardon, press representation, pronatalist politics