Abortion: A Positive Decision (Hardcover)

by Patricia Lunneborg (Author) "In one of the greatest displays of twisted logic and legal-social sophistry of my 42 years of watching the Supreme Court, Chief Justice William Rehnquist..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, New York, Planned Parenthood (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The case is daringly made here that abortion is a positive experience--and Lunneborg's argument is both moving and persuasive. The author, a retired women's studies professor from the University of Washington, provides an oral history of abortion elicited from the patients and providers at Planned Parenthood and American feminist health clinics. She finds abortion clinics to be places where women are highly valued and patients' self-esteem is carefully tended; some patients here report being treated better in the clinics than anywhere else. Calling on the results of a questionnaire and interviews, Lunneborg demonstrates that patients seldom experience guilt or trauma, despite the ethical dilemma inherent in the procedure. "The reality of the abortion is there's no regret, no sadness, no guilt, nor remorse. It's a sense of relief," asserts one woman. Many others report feeling more in charge of their lives afterward. The book explodes many myths.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
“This book couldn't be more welcome, more timely. It takes an overlooked position, that abortion is not the lesser of two evils but a positive turning point in many women's lives. In addition to absorbing countless studies, Lunneborg talked with more than 100 women who have had abortions as well as with health care workers and counselors. She found that most women do not regret their decision. Many found it to be a key reassessment point in their lives: they looked at the directions their lives were heading, their relationships, their attitudes toward their bodies, their methods of birth control, and they made significant changes. Although definetely prochoice, Lunneborg's effort balances antichoice propaganda that paints women who have abortions as irresponsible and selfish, for the women Lunneborg presents are thoughtful and articulate. Futhermore, the author publicizes some too-little-known statistics: more than half the women who had abortions were using birth control when they got pregnant; only four-tenths of 1 percent of women surveyed in 1988 who used no contraception said they were relying on abortion instead; the death rate from abortion is 11 times lower than that for women who go through childbirth. Lunneborg says she wrote the book to help women through the abortion decision-making process and to give health care workers and counselors more information when working with patients. But really, it ought to be required reading for anyone embroiled in an abortion debate.”–Booklist

“The case is daringly made here that abortion is a positive experience--and Lunneborg's argument is both moving and persuasive. The author, a retired women's studies professor from the University of Washington, provides an oral history of abortion elicited from the patients and providers at Planned Parenthood and American feminist health clinics. She finds abortion clinics to be places where women are highly valued and patients' self-esteem is carefully tended; some patients here report being treated better in the clinics than anywhere else. Calling on the results of a questionnaire and interviews, Lunneborg demonstrates that patients seldom experience guilt or trauma, despite the ethical dilemma inherent in the procedure. 'The reality of the abortion is there's no regret, no sadness, no guilt, nor remorse. It's a sense of relief,' asserts one woman. Many others report feeling more in charge of their lives afterward. The book explodes many myths.”–Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey (January 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897892437
• ISBN-13: 978-0897892438
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #892,609 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)