The Pro-Choice Movement: Organization and Activism in the Abortion Conflict

by Suzanne Staggenborg

In this highly-praised analysis of the controversial pro-choice movement, Suzanne Staggenborg traces the development of the movement from its origins through the 1980s. She shows how a small group of activists were able to build on the momentum created by other social movements of the 1960s to win their cause--the legalization of abortion in 1973--and argues that professional leadership and formal organizational structures, together with threats from the anti-abortion movement and grass-roots support, enabled the pro-choice movement to remain an active force even after their primary goal had been achieved.

Genres: Politics

229 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Eavan Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

The professionalization and formalization of social movement organizations and their consequences (maintenance of org., institutionalized tactics, and more coalition work)

[Lalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for some history of organizing around the issue of abortion since the late 1950's. Great structural analysis of the forces that influenced the creation, tactics, successes, on-going strategic planning, and maintenance of the larger movement organizations like NARAL and NOW. Special attention paid to how the political climate, activities of the anti-abortion movement, and skills or ideological leanings of organizational leaders influenced and continue to influence the tactics and activities of pro-choice organizations.

I was disappointed because accounts of organizing by women of color were not included and the author covered the activities of multi-issue organizations, which placed abortion within the context of larger economic and social justice struggles, in less depth than those of single-issue groups like NARAL.

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lacked so much organization, it was horrendous. Some of the statistics they pulled out were useful, but all of the analysis that was done was usually backed by no evidence or was contradicted later on.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blindingly boring. Really this is of interest only to those who are super fascinated in how the pro-choice movement developed in the 70s. I had a hard time getting through it, even though I have a passing interest