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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.
jenok's review against another edition
4.0
Katha Pollitt does really good things with this book, focusing on the social, economic and personal benefits that ensue when we view motherhood as a choice that may follow from pregnancy, rather than the default. This means looking at abortion not as a tragic decision which women must, unfortunately, be allowed to make, should they find themselves in some agonising circumstances, but rather as an ordinary aspect of women's reproductive lives. As someone who often feels jaded by the tired back and forth on both sides of the constant dialogue over women's reproductive rights, I would recommend this book. Pollitt's position is not a novel one, but it is a strong one. She posits that terminating pregnancy, in any circumstance where termination is desired, is not merely acceptable - it is, in fact, a social good. Whatever your stance on this position, Pollitt's admirably open and unapologetic delivery will provide a good opportunity to think things through. The contextualisation of abortion in a framework that is not merely reactionary, situated less inside the debate, and more within the ordinary reproductive lives of women, provides a far more realistic platform for figuring out what you really think, rather than rattling off the same old critiques and defences.
skepticalri's review against another edition
5.0
About 2 chapters into Pro, I thought to myself how much I would like to send the book to each and every member of the Louisiana state legislature and force them to read it, a la A Clockwork Orange. Everything she wrote just made so much sense, about power, women, healthcare, quality of life, and so on. She tied together in one bundle all of the various surveys, research, ideas, and commentary that have been put forth regarding reproductive justice issues. Everything she said made sense! Then I realized that my idea would never work because the other side does not traffic in facts or reason but rather emotion, propaganda, and subterfuge. You can’t reason with unreasonable people.
I came to the understanding that Pro isn’t really targeted at the pro-forced-birth contingent, but rather the opposite side of the aisle. Pollitt presents a case for, pardon my use of jargon, reframing issues of abortion and reproductive justice and not running away from the pro-abortion label. Honesty is called for rather than attempts at managing public relations. Time to shout out that abortion is about healthcare, economics, and, above all, the right to self-determination. Slut shaming and outright lies need to be called out whenever they occur and by whomever. The last two paragraphs sum up her thesis (which is sort of the point of a concluding statement, isn’t it?):
“For those who are troubled by America’s high abortion rate, the good news is that we already know what will lower it: more feminism. More justice. More equality. More freedom. More respect. Women should have what they need both to avoid unwanted pregnancy and childbirth and to have wanted children. For motherhood to truly be part of human flourishing, it has to be voluntary, and raising children—by both parents—has to be supported by society as necessary human work. Motherhood should add to a woman’s ability to lead a full life, not leave her on the sidelines, wondering how she got there.
For this to happen, the old paradigms have to go: pregnancy as the punishment for sex, and women as endurers of fate or God’s will, biologically destined to a lesser life and needing a man to survive. But even in feminist heaven, there will be abortion, as there is in even the most prosperous, enlightened countries in the world. Because life will always be complicated, there is no perfect contraception, and there are no perfect people either. We need to be able to say that is all right.”
My one beef with the book: its lack of an index. Non-indexed nonfiction works make my head hurt.
I came to the understanding that Pro isn’t really targeted at the pro-forced-birth contingent, but rather the opposite side of the aisle. Pollitt presents a case for, pardon my use of jargon, reframing issues of abortion and reproductive justice and not running away from the pro-abortion label. Honesty is called for rather than attempts at managing public relations. Time to shout out that abortion is about healthcare, economics, and, above all, the right to self-determination. Slut shaming and outright lies need to be called out whenever they occur and by whomever. The last two paragraphs sum up her thesis (which is sort of the point of a concluding statement, isn’t it?):
“For those who are troubled by America’s high abortion rate, the good news is that we already know what will lower it: more feminism. More justice. More equality. More freedom. More respect. Women should have what they need both to avoid unwanted pregnancy and childbirth and to have wanted children. For motherhood to truly be part of human flourishing, it has to be voluntary, and raising children—by both parents—has to be supported by society as necessary human work. Motherhood should add to a woman’s ability to lead a full life, not leave her on the sidelines, wondering how she got there.
For this to happen, the old paradigms have to go: pregnancy as the punishment for sex, and women as endurers of fate or God’s will, biologically destined to a lesser life and needing a man to survive. But even in feminist heaven, there will be abortion, as there is in even the most prosperous, enlightened countries in the world. Because life will always be complicated, there is no perfect contraception, and there are no perfect people either. We need to be able to say that is all right.”
My one beef with the book: its lack of an index. Non-indexed nonfiction works make my head hurt.
elisekatherine's review against another edition
3.0
Caveat that this book definitely uses very cis language throughout here. Didn't bother me in this specific case but it could very well others; the book was written in 2014/rereleased in 2015, which makes it a somewhat odd experience to read now (though certainly no less relevant). I didn't learn a whole lot but it was clearly written and laid out compelling terms for reframing the abortion argument (from a pro-choice perspective).
Abortion at will and on demand.
Abortion at will and on demand.
paigekc's review against another edition
3.0
Katha Pollitt is a woman after my own heart. Maybe a little too much here, as reading this book felt like, well, like I was the choir and she was preaching to me. But as Pollitt herself states right at the beginning, the audience of this book is not "pro-life" folks, but instead pro-choice and people a little on the fence. I'm definitely a part of the first category, and reading this book only strengthened that resolve.
This book discusses a variety of topics on the subject of abortion, but especially focuses on the true motives of anti-abortion hardliners, which, as she argues, have less to do with protecting "life" and more to do with their discomfort with women having more autonomy. Pollitt makes very persuasive arguments that pro-choicers need to stop being wishy-washy and start getting right to the heart of the problem and also that poor and disadvantaged women get the worst of the brunt of anti-abortion efforts.
But there were a few problems, of course. It felt a bit repetitive at times, though single-issue books like these usually do. I felt she dug in her heels a little too much with the anti-Republican and anti-religion arguments, correct though I think she is about these things. But you only need to quote so many psycho Republican Congressmen to make your point, you know?
Anywho, would definitely reccomend.
This book discusses a variety of topics on the subject of abortion, but especially focuses on the true motives of anti-abortion hardliners, which, as she argues, have less to do with protecting "life" and more to do with their discomfort with women having more autonomy. Pollitt makes very persuasive arguments that pro-choicers need to stop being wishy-washy and start getting right to the heart of the problem and also that poor and disadvantaged women get the worst of the brunt of anti-abortion efforts.
But there were a few problems, of course. It felt a bit repetitive at times, though single-issue books like these usually do. I felt she dug in her heels a little too much with the anti-Republican and anti-religion arguments, correct though I think she is about these things. But you only need to quote so many psycho Republican Congressmen to make your point, you know?
Anywho, would definitely reccomend.
greeniezona's review against another edition
5.0
I love Pollitt, so I knew I was going to love this book. I am so tired of all the hand-wringing way we talk about abortion in this country, and this book was a near-perfect antidote to that. I want to buy copies and press them into the hands of anti-choicers in my life. In the meantime, it's certainly changed the way I talk about abortion and reproductive justice issues. Not that I was so apologetic about it in the first place, but still.
Pair with Mother Nature by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy for straight talk perfection.
Pair with Mother Nature by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy for straight talk perfection.