Document Detail


Conceptualising abortion stigma.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19437175     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Abortion stigma is widely acknowledged in many countries, but poorly theorised. Although media accounts often evoke abortion stigma as a universal social fact, we suggest that the social production of abortion stigma is profoundly local. Abortion stigma is neither natural nor 'essential' and relies upon power disparities and inequalities for its formation. In this paper, we identify social and political processes that favour the emergence, perpetuation and normalisation of abortion stigma. We hypothesise that abortion transgresses three cherished 'feminine' ideals: perpetual fecundity; the inevitability of motherhood; and instinctive nurturing. We offer examples of how abortion stigma is generated through popular and medical discourses, government and political structures, institutions, communities and via personal interactions. Finally, we propose a research agenda to reveal, measure and map the diverse manifestations of abortion stigma and its impact on women's health.
Authors:
Anuradha Kumar; Leila Hessini; Ellen M H Mitchell
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Culture, health & sexuality     Volume:  11     ISSN:  1464-5351     ISO Abbreviation:  Cult Health Sex     Publication Date:  2009 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-02-25     Completed Date:  2010-06-07     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100883416     Medline TA:  Cult Health Sex     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  625-39     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Ipas, North Carolina, USA. kumara@ipas.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Abortion, Induced*
Adolescent
Adult
Decision Making
Female
Humans
Pregnancy
Stereotyping*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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