Competitive framing processes in the abortion debate: Polarization-vilification, frame saving, and frame debunking

This article investigates how frame alignment processes are employed by a s ocial movement organization in competitive response to a countermovement. T hough the battles between feminist organizations such as NOW and conservati ve opposition are waged in many arenas, we focus exclusively on the ideolog ical clash around abortion. After briefly describing the context of encount ers, we examine the challenges launched against perceived threats to reprod uctive rights using New York State NOW chapter newsletters spanning 1970-19 88. We identify three rhetorical strategies used by NOW to counterframe the debate for its members: polarization-vilification, frame debunking, and fr ame saving. Our findings suggest that in the face of opposition, framing st rategies are modified with the goal of mobilization.