Description

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In 1860, the American Medical Association launched a campaign to convince state legislatures to prohibit abortions. Until 1973's Roe v. Wade, abortion was often seen as a crime. Who Chooses? analyzes the forces at play in shaping reproductive policy in the United States. Over the past two centuries, restrictive reproductive policies have often served as barriers to women's equality. The impact of these policies has been felt most poignantly at the local level by women endeavoring to control their daily lives. Simone Caron reveals that despite attempts by population controllers to shape the populace according to their own agendas, women throughout the years have sought means to choose for themselves the best reproduction option to suit their personal situation. She examines the political, moral, and economic forces that shaped reproductive policies and the impact they have had on women's ability to choose how to control their bodies.

About the Author

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Simone M. Caron is chair and associate professor of history at Wake Forest University.