Childfree and Sterilized: Women's Decisions and Medical Responses

by Annily Campbell

Examines the social phenomena in the West and the "developed" countries of the world, that of women's elective sterilization. The study identifies that a minority of women choose not to become mothers, opting for voluntary sterilization in order to remain childfree. A number of issues relating to choice in contraception and women choosing to be sterilized are explored from feminist and sociological perspectives, using feminist research techniques based on oral and written histories. The 25 women who are the participants in the study reveal the struggles they faced, not only in being women without children in a society which expects women to be mothers, but also in overcoming the many barriers encountered on the way to voluntary sterilization.

196 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 1999

Reviews

[Cata · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young childfree woman, I was delighted to find this book, even if it only discusses womens' experiences of seeking sterilization in the UK. Although I found some of the book to be repetitive, the womens' stories were very powerful. The condescension these women suffered by the medical establishment was enough that I became angry as if the same thing had happened to me. They told of pregnancy scares, contraception problems and failures. Some of the stories are downright heartbreaking. In the end though, these women stood tall in their resolve and determination to remain childfree for all time. I walked away from the book having hope for my own future and the power to control it.

[Disaster! · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the few books (or even published works) available about sterilization, this book gave me the reassurance that i was not alone, and that my decision to become sterile was not tied to my sexuality. the study was conducted in G.B., and the element of socialized healthcare comes in quite a bit. i wish there were an equivalent text written in the united states.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but felt somewhat incomplete. I felt like it could have benefited from another 50-100 pages.