Sex and the State: Abortion, Divorce, and the Family under Latin American Dictatorships and Democracies

by Mala Htun

As Argentina, Brazil, and Chile made transitions from democratic to authoritarian forms of government (and back), they confronted challenges posed by the rise of the feminist movement, social changes, and the power of the Catholic Church. This study explores the patterns of gender-related policy reform in these countries and reveals their implications for the peoples of Latin America. In addition, it offers a broader understanding of the logic behind the state's role in affecting private lives and gender relations everywhere.

Genres: History, Latin American History

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Mala Htun was an American political scientist. She was a professor of political science at the University of New Mexico. Htun studied comparative politics, particularly women's rights and the politics of race and ethnicity with a focus on Latin America.

Reviews

[Mel]

1/26/17: Read Chapter 1 - "Sex and the State in Latin America."

[Génesis Luigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very comprehensive account of gender equality, divorce ad abortion in these two countries. I'd love this book to be a bit more open about how these policies within gender equality within the family translated into the political participation of women outside. Maybe covering three countries was a lot to really deep dive into details. However, it's an excellent primer for an introduction.

I learned a lot of facts about marriage law in Latinamerica.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but outdated, I'm afraid