Two New Books on Abortion Themes
3 June 2020
Assuming (perhaps erroneously?!) that in the current climate people may perhaps have more time available for leisure activities such as reading, we thought it timely to highlight two recently published books on topical abortion themes that might be of interest. The books in question have been read and reviewed by two BSACP Council members, and their reviews are included below.
The first book, entitled ‘Decriminalising Abortion in the UK: What Would It Mean?’ edited by Sally Sheldon and Kaye Wellings, comprising chapters written by leading experts in the fields of medicine, law, reproductive health and social science, offers a concise and authoritative account of the evidence regarding the likely impact of decriminalisation of abortion in the UK. The public and parliamentary debate about UK abortion law reform is often diverted away from key moral and political questions by disputes regarding basic questions of fact. And all too often, claims of scientific ‘fact’ are ideologically driven. But what effect would decriminalisation be likely to have on women’s health? What would be the impact on the incidence of abortions? Would decriminalisation equate to deregulation, sweeping away necessary restrictions on dangerous or malicious conduct?
This book is both timely and highly relevant to those working in the field of abortion care provision, and indeed it includes a chapter entitled ‘How would decriminalisation affect women’s health?’ authored by three individuals who will need no introduction, namely Patricia Lohr, Jonathan Lord and Sam Rowlands.
Book Review Decriminalising Abortion in the UK 22042020
As an added incentive to obtain a copy/read this book, the price of the paperback edition is currently being discounted by 20% (£10.30 cf. the list price of £12.99) and the publisher, Policy Press (an imprint of Bristol University Press), is additionally offering no-cost (free) access to an downloadable Open Access version of the book. To order/access this book visit the publisher’s website at: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/decriminalising-abortion-in-the-uk
The second book, ‘Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to get an Abortion in America’, tells the story of abortion in America, capturing a disturbing reality of insurmountable barriers people face when trying to exercise their legal rights to medical services. Authors David Cohen and Carole Joffe lay bare the often arduous and unnecessarily burdensome process of terminating a pregnancy: the sabotaged decision-making, clinics in remote locations, insurance bans, harassing protesters, forced ultrasounds and dishonest medical information, arbitrary waiting periods, and unjustified procedure limitations. Based on patients’ stories as well as interviews with abortion providers and allies from every state in the country, Obstacle Course reveals the unstoppable determination required of women in the pursuit of reproductive autonomy as well as the incredible commitment of abortion providers.
Book Review Obstacle Course 28052020
Happy reading!
Janie Foote (BSACP Administrator)