Happy Abortions: Our Bodies in the Era of Choice

by Erica Millar

'A provocative and important book that every pro-choice advocate should read.'
Sinéad Kennedy, Coalition to Repeal the 8th Amendment

When it comes to abortion, today's liberal climate has produced a common sense that is both pro-choice and anti-abortion. The public are fed an unchanging version of what the abortion choice entails and how women experience it. While it would prove highly unpopular to insist that all pregnant women should carry their pregnancy to term, the idea that abortion could or should be a happy experience for women is virtually unspeakable.

In this careful and intelligent work, Erica Millar shows how the emotions of abortion are constructed in sharp contrast to the emotional position occupied by motherhood – the unassailable placeholder for women's happiness. Through an exposition of the cultural and political forces that continue to influence the decisions women make about their pregnancies – forces that are synonymous with the rhetoric of choice – Millar argues for a radical reinterpretation of women's freedom.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction

348 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2017

Reviews

[lauren wallach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly stellar. A must-read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting analysis of the way society sees abortion and post-abortion women, written by a pro-choice Australian author. She argues that the general discourse of abortion requires it to be presented as a difficult, emotionally harmful choice for women. She highlights the rhetoric used by both sides of the abortion debate about how abortion is a bad, traumatic thing that should be "rare." She says this is a myth and most women are happy with their abortions. I disagree with her premise, I think there is a reason why the narrative of abortion as trauma developed, and that it is the truth for many women, more so than the "happy abortion" narrative she promotes. But it was an interesting book to read.

[Herinza Syadza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me more than a month to finish this book and I must say it’s very satisfying!

From pain, shame to political consequences of abortion, this book is definitely a guide for young woman to find the happy abortion!

[Blair Emsick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff In here. Some enraging facts, some deeply comforting ones. Little too academic-y, would like something more accessible for all readers.