| Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the United States Contributor(s): Solinger, Rickie (Author) |
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ISBN: 0809028603 ISBN-13: 9780809028603 Publisher: Hill & Wang OUR PRICE: $20.70 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 2002 Annotation: An impassioned argument for reproductive rights In the late 1960s and early 1970s, advocates of legal abortion mostly used the term "rights "when describing their agenda. But after "Roe v. Wade, "their determination to develop a respectable, nonconfrontational movement encouraged many of them to use the word "choice--"an easier concept for people weary of various rights movements. At first the distinction in language didn't seem to make much difference-the law seemed to guarantee both. But in the years since, the change has become enormously important. In "Beggars and Choosers, "Solinger shows how historical distinctions between women of color and white women, between poor and middle-class women, were used in new ways during the era of "choice." Politicians and policy makers began to exclude certain women from the class of "deserving mothers" by using the language of choice to create new public policies concerning everything from Medicaid funding for abortions to family tax credits, infertility treatments, international adoption, teen pregnancy, and welfare. Solinger argues that the class-and-race-inflected guarantee of "choice" is a shaky foundation on which to build our notions of reproductive freedom. Her impassioned argument is for reproductive rights as human rights--as a basis for full citizenship status for women. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Policy |
| Dewey: 363.46 |
| Physical Information: 0.79" H x 5.53" W x 8.5" (0.89 lbs) 304 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: An impassioned argument for reproductive rights In the late 1960s and early 1970s, advocates of legal abortion mostly used the term rights when describing their agenda. But after Roe v. Wade, their determination to develop a respectable, nonconfrontational movement encouraged many of them to use the word choice--an easier concept for people weary of various rights movements. At first the distinction in language didn't seem to make much difference-the law seemed to guarantee both. But in the years since, the change has become enormously important. In Beggars and Choosers, Solinger shows how historical distinctions between women of color and white women, between poor and middle-class women, were used in new ways during the era of choice. Politicians and policy makers began to exclude certain women from the class of deserving mothers by using the language of choice to create new public policies concerning everything from Medicaid funding for abortions to family tax credits, infertility treatments, international adoption, teen pregnancy, and welfare. Solinger argues that the class-and-race-inflected guarantee of choice is a shaky foundation on which to build our notions of reproductive freedom. Her impassioned argument is for reproductive rights as human rights--as a basis for full citizenship status for women. |
Contributor Bio(s): Solinger, Rickie: - Rickie Solinger, a historian and writer, is the author of three other books about reproductive rights: Wake Up Little Susie, Abortion Wars, and The Abortionist. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. |