Social Good Abortion Book Review

Abortion: A Social Good

Pollitt Takes a Fearless Stance on Abortion Rights in America Roe v. Wade was a monumental decision declaring abortion rights in America. Currently, among the plenty Republicans in office, officials are doing everything they can to reverse this decision. Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights focuses on portraying the urgency of the actions needed to keep abortion rights effective and the reasons why abortion is a societal necessity in the United States. This polemical book stands out as almost revolutionary in a time where outwardly speaking of abortion as essential is taboo. The feminist author, Katha Pollitt, speaks strongly and decisively throughout the duration of her book while maintaining a notably conversational tone.

Because this book was published in 2015, a few of Pollitt’s arguments need updating as the abortion discussion remains heavily unresolved three years later. For example, Pollitt (2015) alludes to the Hobby Lobby case when it had yet to be decided that allowed corporate owners to deny contraceptive coverage to employees due to religious beliefs. Although for the most part, her claims still hold truth within today’s dynamic society, such as those noting the significant gaining support and momentum of the anti-abortion movement. The main claim out of many stated in this book is that abortion is a positive social good. Pollitt states, “We need to see abortion as an urgent practical decision that is just as moral as the decision to have a child.” This is supported on the grounds that abortion “is an essential option for all women” (Pollitt, 2015, p. ?). Pollitt emphasizes the word “all” because she notes that much of society fails to see abortion as good for anything but situations involving rape, incest, or near death experience, when in all reality, the majority of women who choose abortion are often “trying to get their life on track or keep it there” (Pollitt, 2015, p. ?).

Pollitt displays the seriousness of the issue while simultaneously remaining conversational, humorous, and sarcastic throughout. While the humor and satire do a good job at maintaining reader interest, these aspects also play a role in withering her argument. Pollitt often degrades and mocks the opposing anti-abortion point-of-view. For example, when she discusses the common judgment of any reason a woman would get an abortion, Pollitt (2015) states, “Your judgment of that woman is not even an interesting fact about yourself” (p. ?). Using this particular writing style in this book kills the basic understanding and respect for both sides of the dispute. Granted, Pollitt’s main audience is made up of already somewhat pro-choice Americans with probably average to slightly above average intelligence levels; thus, the readers are probably not going to delve into her rhetorical skills. And because her audience is pro-choice at least to some extent, she does not feel the need to deeply analyze and rebut the possible pros of the anti-abortion argument. Instead, she focuses on solely uncovering the ill-logic of the anti-abortion movement. In order to accurately portray the deep sense of urgency and seriousness of the pro-abortion movement, she should lessen her use of humor and satire. But with the loss of this enjoyable and easy-reading tone, the loss of