Taking Chances: Abortion and the Decision Not Contracept

by Kristin Luker

A study of the contraceptive practices of a large sample of clients in a California abortion clinic challenges common assumptions about the social and psychological trauma associated with abortion as a means of birth control

Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking book from the 1970s examining the logic behind the (seemingly illogical) reasons women have unprotected sex with men, and the cultural beliefs that go unexamined when talking about abortion, contraception and responsibility for avoiding pregnancy. It was interesting to read a book from the early days of abortion legalization about how rapidly methods of birth control and social mores around contraception were changing in those days--and also quite sad in June of 2022 to be reading about Luker's proposed recommendations for making abortion easier to access and less stigmatized in the future. I saw that UC Press re-issued this last month as part of their 'voices revived' series, I hope that prompts more people to read it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a study that was done on women who dont' use birth control but get abortions repeatedly. It is based on interviews and analysis of the psychological and social reasons some women do that. Even though this study was done over 30 years ago, I think the knowledge I gained from this book was very valuable. I understand better what is going on in the minds of women who don't use birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies and instead have multiple abortions, and it is a lot more complex than simply saying they are irresponsible. I feel like I got a lot out of this book.