Policing Pregnant Bodies: From Ancient Greece to Post-Roe America

Name: Policing Pregnant Bodies: From Ancient Greece to Post-Roe America
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Book Synopsis: Explores the historical roots of controversies over abortion, fetal personhood, miscarriage, and maternal mortality.

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, asserting that the Constitution did not confer the right to abortion. This ruling, in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case, was the culmination of a half-century of pro-life activism promoting the idea that fetuses are people and therefore entitled to the rights and protections that the Constitution guarantees. But it was also the product of a much longer history of archaic ideas about the relationship between pregnant people and the fetuses they carry.

In Policing Pregnant Bodies: From Ancient Greece to Post-Roe America, historian Kathleen M. Crowther discusses the deeply rooted medical and philosophical ideas that continue to reverberate in the politics of women's health and reproductive autonomy. From the idea that a detectable heartbeat is a sign of moral personhood to why infant and maternal mortality rates in the United States have risen as abortion restrictions have gained strength, this is a historically informed discussion of the politics of women's reproductive rights.

Crowther explains why pro-life concern for fetuses has led not just to laws restricting or banning abortion but also to delaying or denying treatment to women for miscarriages as well as police investigations of miscarriages. She details the failure to implement policies that would actually improve the quality of infant life, such as guaranteed access to medical care, healthy food, safe housing, and paid maternity leave. We must understand the historical roots of these archaic ideas in order to critically engage with the current legal and political debates involving fetal life.

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Discover the untold history behind the controversies over abortion, fetal personhood, miscarriage, and maternal mortality in our groundbreaking book, "Policing Pregnant Bodies: From Ancient Greece to Post-Roe America." Written by acclaimed historian Kathleen M. Crowther, this remarkable work unearths the deeply rooted medical and philosophical ideas that continue to shape the politics of women's health and reproductive autonomy.

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court made a groundbreaking ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case, overturning the Roe v. Wade decision. The court asserted that the Constitution did not confer the right to abortion, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for reproductive rights. To truly understand this decision and its implications, it is crucial to delve into the historical backdrop that has fueled the debate surrounding fetal personhood and the rights of pregnant individuals.

With meticulous research and a thought-provoking approach, Crowther presents a historically informed discussion on the intersection of politics and women's reproductive rights. She explores fascinating concepts, from how the belief in a detectable heartbeat has become intertwined with moral personhood, to the alarming rise in infant and maternal mortality rates as abortion restrictions have gained strength.

What sets "Policing Pregnant Bodies" apart is its unflinching exploration of the repercussions of pro-life activism. Going beyond the mere restriction or banning of abortion, Crowther highlights the concerning consequences such as the delay or denial of treatment to women experiencing miscarriages, as well as the unsettling trend of police investigations into miscarriages. She also sheds light on the failure to implement policies that could enhance the quality of infant life, such as ensuring access to medical care, nutritious food, safe housing, and paid maternity leave.

If you want to engage with the current legal and political debates surrounding fetal life, it is crucial to comprehend the historical roots of these archaic ideas. "Policing Pregnant Bodies" offers invaluable insights that will challenge your preconceptions and deepen your understanding. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a comprehensive perspective on the complex relationship between pregnant individuals and the fetuses they carry.

Learn more about "Policing Pregnant Bodies: From Ancient Greece to Post-Roe America" and discover the historical origins that continue to shape the fight for reproductive autonomy.

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