Who chooses?

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. In tracing the political battle over reproduction rights through government politics from 1830 to the present, Simone Caron's work is unique in that she synthesizes historical discussions of abortion, birth control, and sterilization, which have often been considered as separate entities. Placing these three means of reproductive control into a cohesive framework, she studies national decisions made over the years, then localizes the politics with a unique case study of Rhode Island. Although the Union's smallest state restricted abortion, Rhode Island was one of only two states to exempt women from prosecution. When most states adopted Comstock laws and eugenic sterilization legislation, in part to control the fertility of the indigent, Rhode Island did not. The state also allowed the only birth control clinic in New England to operate from 1931 to 1965. The clinic, staffed by "respectable," white male physicians rather than immigrant or female doctors, prioritized clients' health over the wishes of population control advocates. All of which combines to make the state a fascinating microcosm through which to view the battle over reproductive rights at the state and local level. 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. 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. - Jacket flap.