How did Stalin change Soviet divorce and abortion laws?

Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, Soviet family law underwent a significant shift toward conservatism, reversing the more liberal policies established shortly after the Russian Revolution of 1917.12

While early Soviet policy had secularized family law and granted women the right to obtain abortions, Stalin’s administration implemented restrictive measures driven by a pronatalist agenda. Viewing population growth as a vital stimulant for economic progress and national strength, Stalin’s government enacted the following changes:13

• Abortion: Most abortions were outlawed, effectively stripping away a previously established right to bodily autonomy.13
• Divorce: Legislation was introduced to make the process of obtaining a divorce significantly more difficult.1
• Paternity: New laws barred paternity suits.1

These measures represented a departure from the earlier revolutionary ideals and were maintained until after Stalin’s death in 1953, when the restrictions were eventually relaxed.1