Uneasy allies: pro-choice physicians, feminist health activists and the struggle for abortion rights

Sociology of Health & Illness
C E JoffeC L Stacey

Abstract

Abortion represents a particularly interesting subject for a social movements analysis of healthcare issues because of the involvement of both feminist pro-choice activists and a segment of the medical profession. Although both groups have long shared the same general goal of legal abortion, the alliance has over time been an uneasy one, and in many ways a contradictory one. This paper traces points of convergence as well as points of contention between the two groups, specifically: highlighting the tensions between the feminist view of abortion as a women-centred service, with a limited, 'technical' role for the physicians, and the abortion-providing physicians' logic of further medicalization/professional upgrading of abortion services as a response to the longstanding marginality and stigmatisation of abortion providers. Only by noting the evolving relationships between these two crucial sets of actors can one fully understand the contemporary abortion rights movement. We conclude by speculating about similar patterns in medical/lay relationships in other health social movements where 'dissident doctors' and lay activists are similarly seeking recognition for medical services that are controversial.

References

Nov 1, 1973·Journal of Psychosomatic Research·M Lader
Apr 1, 1972·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Nov 30, 1999·The New England Journal of Medicine·M K WyniaL L Emanuel
Feb 27, 2003·Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·Stanley K Henshaw, Lawrence B Finer
Sep 24, 2004·Sociology of Health & Illness·Phil Brown, Stephen Zavestoski

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 27, 2006·The Journal of Medical Humanities·Sayantani DasGuptaMarji Gold
Jan 19, 2013·American Journal of Public Health·Johanna Schoen
Mar 2, 2010·Women's Health·Ndola PrataCaitlin Elisabeth Gerdts
Oct 16, 2012·Contraception·Diana Greene FosterTracy A Weitz
Oct 9, 2007·Social Science & Medicine·Ruth H GrahamJudith M Rankin
Aug 19, 2007·Clinics in Dermatology·Myrna L ArmstrongDonna C Owen
Oct 12, 2013·Sociology of Health & Illness·Ligia Maria Vieira-da-Silva, Patrice Pinell
Apr 28, 2006·Social Science & Medicine·Bhensri Naemiratch, Lenore Manderson
Aug 2, 2005·Social Science & Medicine·Kyra Landzelius
Sep 17, 2008·Reproductive Health Matters·Lisa H Harris
Nov 30, 2012·Social Studies of Science·Katie Ann Hasson
Apr 27, 2019·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·Drew Halfmann
Jul 5, 2007·The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care·Sam Rowlands
Aug 9, 2016·Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·Katrina Kimport
Jul 25, 2021·Social Science & Medicine·Anna L AltshulerLori R Freedman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.