Interdisciplinary Views on Abortion

This book examines issues surrounding abortion and abortion practices in the United States through the perspectives of multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, philosophy, community health, theology, and political science. The essays parallel the interdisciplinary nature of feminist and women’s studies, situating abortion within a wider understanding of the impact of reproduction on women’s lives and their health. The contributing authors provide an accessible summary of the numerous topics surrounding abortion, and the essays reflect both original research and scholarly discourse on existing research and literature. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Susan A. Martinelli-Fernandez is a professor of philosophy and an associate dean of Western Illinois University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Lori Baker-Sperry is an associate professor of women’s studies at Western Illinois University.

Heather McIlvaine-Newsad is an associate professor of anthropology at Western Illinois University.

Edited by Susan A. Martinelli-Fernandez Lori Baker-Sperry and Heather McIlvaine-Newsad

Foreword by Sue V. Rosser

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 223
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3494-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5321-4
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword: How This Book Exemplifies the Best of Women’s Studies
SUE V. ROSSER      1

Introduction
SUSAN A. MARTINELLI-FERNANDEZ and LORI BAKER-SPERRY      7

Abortion: A Sociological Perspective
POLLY F. RADOSH      19

Health and Medical Aspects of Abortion
KATHY FISCHER and SARAH R. GOFF      34

The Many Faces of U.S. Abortion Policy: How Government Structure Results in Multiple Policies
AIMEE D. SHOUSE      55

Hidden in Plain View: An Overview of Abortion in Rural Illinois and Around the Globe
HEATHER MCILVAINE-NEWSAD      77

Abortion, Polyphonic Narratives and Kantianism: Quality of Life Matters
SUSAN A. MARTINELLI-FERNANDEZ      104

Staying Within an “Understanding Distance”: One Feminist’s Scientific and Theological Reflections on Pregnancy and Abortion
ALTHEA K. ALTON      122

Orphans, Abortions, and the Public Fetus in The Cider House Rules
LORI BAKER-SPERRY      141

Abortion and Mental Health
GAYLA ELLIOTT      171

Pedagogical Considerations for an Interdisciplinary Course on Abortion
LORI BAKER-SPERRY      190

Concluding Remarks: The Uncertainty of Autonomy and the Assuredness of Vagueness
HEATHER MCILVAINE-NEWSAD      198

About the Contributors      209
Index      213