The historical right of a woman to choose when it comes to abortion has been a personal medical decision. However, this right has been influenced by political and religious powers throughout history, intertwined with gender, race, and class inequalities. Following the overturn of Roe in 2022, abortion has become illegal in more than a quarter of the country and restricted in over half. The debate on abortion has become highly polarized along partisan lines, reflecting a fundamental shift over time.
Several books delve into the topic of reproductive rights from various perspectives, including historical, legal, rhetorical, societal, and moral angles. These books highlight the risks to women’s health posed by the infringement of reproductive rights. Women have faced death from illegal abortions, discriminatory medical care, coercion into giving up babies born out of wedlock, and forced sterilization. The fight for reproductive rights and justice continues, with these books offering insights into potential paths forward.
One such book is Leslie J. Reagan’s « When Abortion Was a Crime: Women, Medicine, and Law in the United States, 1867-1973. » Originally published in 1996, this book sheds light on the period when abortion was considered a crime. With the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, Reagan’s work takes on renewed relevance, offering a warning of the potential consequences of restricting abortion rights.
Another important book is Sara Gallardo’s « January, » first published in 1958 and translated into English in 2023. This novel explores the risks faced by women in a society where abortion is outlawed and taboo, offering a unique perspective on reproductive rights.
Joshua Prager’s « The Family Roe: An American Story » delves into the life of Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade, offering a human-centered exploration of the abortion debate. The book challenges readers to consider the fundamental human right of bodily autonomy, regardless of individual circumstances.
Finally, Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer’s « The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America, » published in 2024, examines the factors leading to the downfall of Roe v. Wade after 50 years. The authors uncover a complex and existential battle over abortion that goes beyond mere legal debates, touching on the very essence of what it means to be a woman in America.
Overall, these books provide valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights and justice, offering a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the abortion debate in contemporary society. The upcoming election once again puts abortion rights at the forefront, with Nicole Wallace calling it « the most important book in the lead up to this election. » The Fall of Roe was a National Bestseller.
Katie Watson’s book, Scarlet A, delves into the ethics, law, and politics of ordinary abortion. Starting with a trip to Rome where she discovered a medieval mechanism for anonymously leaving unwanted babies, Watson explores the universal question of unwanted pregnancy and the complex decision-making process surrounding it. She argues for the protection of abortion rights while acknowledging the private nature of decision-making in this highly politicized issue.
Dána-Ain Davis’s Reproductive Injustice examines how racism affects Black women’s experiences of pregnancy and premature birth, highlighting the impact of medical racism and the persistence of racial disparities in birth outcomes. The book aims to bring about change in the medical field by connecting historical injustices to current realities.
Mary Ziegler’s Roe: The History of a National Obsession tracks the history of abortion as an argument in American politics, from the pre-Roe era to recent Supreme Court decisions. Ziegler’s nuanced analysis sheds light on the complexities of the abortion debate and its influence on American society.
Annie Ernaux’s Happening recounts her personal experience of an unwanted pregnancy in 1963 and the harrowing journey to seek an illegal abortion. The book, which won the Nobel Prize in Literature, offers a poignant reflection on the challenges faced by women in a society that restricts reproductive rights.
Michele Goodwin’s Policing the Womb explores the criminalization of motherhood and the impact on reproductive rights and maternal health in the United States. Goodwin’s research highlights the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and the need for reproductive justice.
Ann Fessler’s The Girls Who Went Away sheds light on the hidden history of women who surrendered children for adoption before Roe v. Wade, exposing the shame and coercion faced by unwed mothers in the decades leading up to the landmark Supreme Court decision. Fessler’s oral histories provide a powerful insight into the experiences of these women.
Une histoire poignante sur les femmes qui ont donné leurs bébés
Dans les années 50, Fessler a elle-même été adoptée et était l’une des bébés « abandonnées ». Son livre, « Les Filles Qui Partaient », est une œuvre remarquablement bien documentée et accomplie, saluée par le New York Times. Les histoires orales de ces femmes et leur courage et leur franchise ne laisseront personne indifférent, comme l’a souligné le Washington Post.
Reconnaissance et prix
Finaliste du National Book Critics Circle Award en 2006 et lauréate du Women’s Way Ballard Book Prize en 2008, cette œuvre mérite d’être lue et honorée pour sa contribution à l’histoire des femmes qui ont dû se séparer de leurs enfants.
