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annabelledejesus's review against another edition
4.0
*slips this book out from the inside pocket of my jacket when discussing abortion*
louisejulig's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I wish I’d read PRO when it first came out, but it’s no less relevant now in 2022. In fact, maybe even more so. Katha Pollitt writes and thinks so clearly that she cuts through every anti-choice argument I’ve ever heard. She takes each them to their logical conclusions and in doing so exposes the inconsistencies and double standards rooted not in the intention to truly protect life, but instead to control women’s bodies. I’ve never read anything as clear and well-thought-out on abortion as this book. It is one of the best informational nonfiction books I have read in many years. Recommended reading for feminists in the post-Roe era. For more, go to https://louisejulig.substack.com/p/abortion-without-apology
lauradoyaga's review against another edition
5.0
This book proves that it is time to be actively pro-choice. Pro-choicers have allowed the anti-choice movement to push forward for too long without any real protest. This book lays out the many hypocrisies of the anti-choice movement (like why is IVF okay but Plan B isn’t?!). And ultimately it comes to the conclusion that the anti-choice movement is really and truly about keeping women subservient to men and preventing them from leading full and empowered lives, rather than their proclaimed care for embryos and fetuses (shocker, I know!).
Now I am wishing I could scream out: Keep your religion out of our bodies!!!! Let women make these difficult decisions on their own!!!! YOUR RELIGION AND VIEW ON WHEN LIFE BEGINS (WHICH HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND IS AN UNANSWERABLE PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION) IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO BODILY AUTONOMY!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I am wishing I could scream out: Keep your religion out of our bodies!!!! Let women make these difficult decisions on their own!!!! YOUR RELIGION AND VIEW ON WHEN LIFE BEGINS (WHICH HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND IS AN UNANSWERABLE PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION) IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO BODILY AUTONOMY!!!!!!!!!!!
lindsaywir's review against another edition
5.0
This book reminded me how much I truly love a good argument - one that is cleverly structured, meticulously researched, and mindful of audience.
regferk's review against another edition
5.0
Chapter 4 Are Women People?
What if we started with women? After all, they are right here. You don't need to give someone an ultrasound to know that a woman is present; no one doubts that she can think or perceive pain. What is the moral status of women? How much right to life do women have? How much personhood? What about their souls?
What if we started with women? After all, they are right here. You don't need to give someone an ultrasound to know that a woman is present; no one doubts that she can think or perceive pain. What is the moral status of women? How much right to life do women have? How much personhood? What about their souls?
relf's review against another edition
5.0
With clear thinking and straightforward prose, Pollitt addresses both pro-life arguments and the sometimes lukewarm support of pro-choicers, and concludes that the right to choose an abortion is a public good that needs to be lifted up--as does recognition of the work of parenting.
That sentiment already exists. Pollitt points out, "In addition to the 1 in 3 women who will have at least one abortion during their fertile years, there are at least as many men and women, and probably a lot more than that, who've helped them with money, transportation, information, emotional support, child care: husbands and boyfriends, parents and other relatives, friends and coworkers, therapists . . . even, sometimes, clergy. . . . Multiply that situation by well over a million abortions a year, and maybe half the people in the country have not only been aware that someone they knew was planning an abortion, but played an active part in moving the process along." That existing support needs to be translated into practical political, legislative, and social change.
That sentiment already exists. Pollitt points out, "In addition to the 1 in 3 women who will have at least one abortion during their fertile years, there are at least as many men and women, and probably a lot more than that, who've helped them with money, transportation, information, emotional support, child care: husbands and boyfriends, parents and other relatives, friends and coworkers, therapists . . . even, sometimes, clergy. . . . Multiply that situation by well over a million abortions a year, and maybe half the people in the country have not only been aware that someone they knew was planning an abortion, but played an active part in moving the process along." That existing support needs to be translated into practical political, legislative, and social change.
ardavis414's review against another edition
5.0
Required reading for what Pollitt refers to as the “muddled middle.” Americans who are neither pro-choice nor anti-abortion but believe that abortion is a very unfortunate decision that women have to make and that it should be limited, but not banned.
Pro makes a similar argument that overlaps with Dorothy Roberts’ text, Killing the Black Body. Women should be able to have children regardless of their socioeconomic status. Americans have a right to the pursuit of happiness, including the experience of motherhood. Therefore, women shouldn’t have to choose between being childless and working a minimum-wage job or having children and working a minimum-wage job. Sometimes you have to play with the cards that life has dealt you. The biggest lesson to learn is that whether the woman wants to have a child or not is none of our business. Abortions are to be discussed between the person who is pregnant and their doctor.
Pro makes a similar argument that overlaps with Dorothy Roberts’ text, Killing the Black Body. Women should be able to have children regardless of their socioeconomic status. Americans have a right to the pursuit of happiness, including the experience of motherhood. Therefore, women shouldn’t have to choose between being childless and working a minimum-wage job or having children and working a minimum-wage job. Sometimes you have to play with the cards that life has dealt you. The biggest lesson to learn is that whether the woman wants to have a child or not is none of our business. Abortions are to be discussed between the person who is pregnant and their doctor.