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Abortion Politics in North America

Melissa Haussman
Abortion Politics in North America
ISBN: 978-1-58826-336-0
$49.95
2005/211 pages/LC: 2004026064


"A readable, sophisticated, and extensive analysis of abortion politics in the United States, Canada, and Mexico."—Judith Baer, Texas A&M University

"This cutting-edge book is an important and noteworthy contribution to the literature on abortion politics."—Marianne Githens, Goucher College

DESCRIPTION

Despite legal affirmations of women's rights to abortion, actual access to the procedure in North America is increasingly curtailed. Melissa Haussman analyzes this disturbing disparity between official policies and daily realities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Haussman examines the successes of US antichoice groups—groups that have extended their reach to effectively contest the rights of women throughout North America—as well as the efforts of prochoice groups fighting to keep abortion available in Canada and the United States and to legalize it in Mexico. Her sobering conclusion is that basic reproductive rights are at risk of becoming meaningful only to the wealthy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Haussman is associate professor of political science at Carleton University.

CONTENTS

  • Exploring the Paradox of Abortion.
  • Establishing and Contesting Abortion Rights in the United States.
  • Canada: Limited Access Despite Public Healthcare.
  • Mexico: The Contradiction Between Written Laws and Women's Lives.
  • The Transnational Nature of Reproductive Choice Issues.
  • Looking to the Future: New Challenges to Legal and Social Rights.
  • Appendix: Cases on Abortion Policy.