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Abortion

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  • Edwin M. Schur

    (Department of Sociology at Tufts University)

Abstract

As part of the increasingly open discussion of sexual matters in our society, new public attention has been focused on the abortion "problem." In America, induced abortion (which medically can be a simple procedure) has been subject to legal proscription and administrative control. The current narrow legal exception for "therapeutic abortion" does not accord with accepted standards of good medical prac tice, and is now being challenged by medical practitioners and organizations. Instead of curbing abortion, the criminal-law ban simply diverts the demand for such services to illicit sources. The results are a thriving illegal business; subjection of abortion-seekers to the dangers of criminal abortion; a process of "criminalization"; and—for women in the lower socioeconomic strata—discriminatory treatment, according to their financial and informational resources. An important trend toward liberalization of abortion laws is related to broader currents of social change in our society—involving norms governing control, and the social roles of women. The keynote of such change is the extension to women of areas of free choice hitherto not accorded them. How far this trend will be carried with respect to freedom of abortion remains to be seen.

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin M. Schur, 1968. "Abortion," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 376(1), pages 136-147, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:376:y:1968:i:1:p:136-147
    DOI: 10.1177/000271626837600113
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