Abortion and the Law in America Buchzusammenfassung - das Wichtigste aus Abortion and the Law in America
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Zusammenfassung von Abortion and the Law in America

Mary Ziegler

Roe v. Wade to the Present

4.4 (129 Bewertungen)
28 Min.

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"Abortion and the Law in America" by Mary Ziegler is a comprehensive history of the legal conflict over abortion in the US, from the Roe v. Wade decision to the present. It explores how political and social factors have shaped the abortion debate and influenced legal outcomes.

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    The modern American abortion conflict has been shaped by both rights- and policy- based arguments.

    Let’s begin with a commonly held belief: the US abortion conflict reflects a clash between two sides with incompatible demands. One side argues for the constitutional rights of the fetus. The other argues for the constitutional right of a woman to choose to end the pregnancy. Right?

    Well, this is only partially true. These two rights-based claims are the foundations of both the pro-life and pro-choice movements. But Mary Ziegler asserts that, since Roe v. Wade, the conflict has shifted toward debating policy-based claims. These refer to the costs and benefits of abortion, often weighing the positive and negative impacts on women and communities of color. They also tend to philosophically speculate on whether society at large is better or worse off since Roe.

    Both movements have pointed to rights-based or policy-based claims at different times and in different ways depending on the cultural and political moment. Sometimes, they strategized well, offering claims that resonated with the American people and lawmakers. Sometimes they didn’t – and they lost ground to the opposing side. And sometimes, their strategies brought them short-term gains but ended up complicating their movement’s future legal progress.

    To get a handle on how things got so complicated, let’s start at the beginning – before Roe.

    Abortion in the nineteenth century went from being legal to being criminalized in some states by 1880. Opposition to abortion was racially driven. The birth rate of Anglo-Saxon women was plummeting while the population of Southern and Eastern European immigrants was rapidly increasing. Opponents argued that “inferior” genetic stock would overwhelm the country. The solution? Make abortion less accessible through legal means.

    In response, early twentieth-century physicians and activists advocated for national legalization, arguing that abortion was often necessary to save women’s lives. But as obstetric care improved in the ’40s and ’50s, this justification grew less credible. The argument shifted to pointing out that making abortion legal and accessible would improve women’s physical and mental health.

    Abortion foes responded by insisting that abortion had no health benefits – that it actually caused women emotional trauma. But by the 1960s, both abortion reformers and pro-life groups moved away from making health-based claims, opting instead to focus on rights-based arguments.

    That’s because it became clear that invoking women’s constitutional rights was the surest path to victory – particularly after two Supreme Court rulings. 

    One of them, Griswold v. Connecticut, was decided in 1965. This case addressed a Connecticut law that banned married couples from using birth control. The Court held that this law violated the Constitution, contending that the right to privacy was broad enough to include married couples’ use of contraceptives.

    Still, both sides continued to use cost-benefit strategies to sway politics and public opinion. Pro-choice groups demanded the outright repeal of all abortion restrictions. Newly mobilized feminists, public health professionals, and population controllers insisted that all women should have a legal right to end their pregnancies – regardless of any costs or benefits. Planned Parenthood described abortion as a “medical procedure” that was “the right of every patient.” But pro-life groups maintained that the Constitution already protected a right to life for the unborn child.

    In 1973, the abortion-rights lawyers litigating Roe v. Wade highlighted arguments about the rights at stake in the abortion decision – in particular, the right to equality and the right to privacy. They also pointed to certain policy costs and benefits. But, ultimately, it was the rights-based claims that prevailed.

    Roe v. Wade held that the right to privacy was “broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” After this historic ruling, rights-based claims seemed more important to the ongoing abortion debate than ever.

    Before Roe, some antiabortion activists wanted to propose a constitutional amendment that would outline the rights of the unborn child. But organized antiabortion groups – like the National Right to Life Committee, or NRLC, and Americans United for Life, or AUL – weren’t on board. To them, asking for an amendment was admitting that the Constitution didn’t already protect fetal rights.

    But after 1973, that all changed.

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    Worum geht es in Abortion and the Law in America?

    Abortion and the Law in America (2020) offers a comprehensive legal history of abortion rights in the US. It highlights the social and cultural shifts that have contributed to the abortion debate and looks closely at the types of arguments invoked by both sides.

    Bewertung von Abortion and the Law in America

    Abortion and the Law in America (2020) by Mary Ziegler enlightens readers about the complex and controversial issue of abortion in the United States. Here are three reasons why this book is highly recommended:

    • Explores the legal, historical, and social context surrounding abortion, offering a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
    • Provides in-depth analysis of key legal cases and movements, giving readers valuable insights into the evolution of abortion laws.
    • Engages with diverse perspectives on all sides of the debate, fostering a balanced and nuanced exploration of a highly divisive issue.

    Wer Abortion and the Law in America lesen sollte

    • People who want to learn more about the complexity of the American abortion debate
    • Those interested in the relationship between cultural values and law
    • Anyone following US politics

    Über den Autor

    Mary Ziegler is a law professor at UC Davis School of Law. One of the leading historians of the US abortion debate, she is also the author of Dollars for Life and After Roe.

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    Abortion and the Law in America FAQs 

    What is the main message of Abortion and the Law in America?

    The main message of Abortion and the Law in America explores the complex legal history and ongoing debates surrounding abortion in the United States.

    How long does it take to read Abortion and the Law in America?

    The estimated reading time for Abortion and the Law in America is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Abortion and the Law in America a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Abortion and the Law in America is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights into the legal aspects of abortion. A worthwhile read for those interested in the topic.

    Who is the author of Abortion and the Law in America?

    Mary Ziegler is the author of Abortion and the Law in America.

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