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The Abolition of Woman: How Radical Feminism Is Betraying Women
For the great majority on both sides of the abortion debate, the idea of a pro-life feminist is the ultimate contradiction in terms. Abortion has become so central to feminist thinking that women who affirm their belief in both women's empowerment and the inalienable right to life can find themselves viewed with suspicion and hostility from both sides. Yet the author of this book is indeed a pro-life feminist, and her insightful analysis of contemporary issues can provide the basis for common ground between those defending human rights.
This book unashamedly calls mainstream feminists, journalists and Western politicians to account for their silence and - in some cases - vocal justification of the persecution of women because of an absolutist loyalty to abortion. It asks uncomfortable questions to those who claim to believe in women's empowerment: Where is their passionate outrage when Chinese women are forcibly aborted and sterilised? Where is their concern for the thousands of baby girls killed by abortion every year because their lives are held as worthless simply for being female? What about the thousands of women used as surrogates for wealthy Western couples, treated as chattels and denied their most basic human rights? But the book also tackles difficult issues for the pro-life side--the need for a sensitive, realistic approach to problematic pregnancies and the importance of confronting the continued exploitation and abuse of women within a sexualised society.
Pro-life feminism is not only possible, it is vital if the complex struggles facing women are to be adequately met. Abolition of Woman is a rallying cry to feminists to stand with the pro-life movement, fighting to build a society in which women are equal and every human life is protected.
This book unashamedly calls mainstream feminists, journalists and Western politicians to account for their silence and - in some cases - vocal justification of the persecution of women because of an absolutist loyalty to abortion. It asks uncomfortable questions to those who claim to believe in women's empowerment: Where is their passionate outrage when Chinese women are forcibly aborted and sterilised? Where is their concern for the thousands of baby girls killed by abortion every year because their lives are held as worthless simply for being female? What about the thousands of women used as surrogates for wealthy Western couples, treated as chattels and denied their most basic human rights? But the book also tackles difficult issues for the pro-life side--the need for a sensitive, realistic approach to problematic pregnancies and the importance of confronting the continued exploitation and abuse of women within a sexualised society.
Pro-life feminism is not only possible, it is vital if the complex struggles facing women are to be adequately met. Abolition of Woman is a rallying cry to feminists to stand with the pro-life movement, fighting to build a society in which women are equal and every human life is protected.
234 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 14, 2021
What I enjoyed the most is that this book in parts made me uncomfortable. I already agreed with much of what the author had to say but she shown a light on areas that I didn't really think we're pro-life issues.
March 20, 2020
This book is a collection of essays defending the position of pro-life feminism. Mainly, why being both "pro-life" and "feminist" are far from being at odds with one another, nay they are easily and appropriately compatible.
Nash begins by outlining the big and glaring inconsistencies used by 4th wave feminists.
The main ethical argument that should be always addressed in any debate on abortion concerns the rights of the unborn child, and the status of the human person and when this begins. She laments that 4th-wavers often try and sidestep these issues, which makes any attempt at conversation ridiculous.
The current blind espousing of slogans, and colonisation of modern intellect is perhaps present in many current movements (insights from Douglas Murray's latest book spring to mind). Bullying, simplification, hypocrisy is rife.
It is obvious that Nash is a staunch and vocal feminist, and no matter how much some of her language around women makes me uncomfortable, it is perhaps because I know that these tendencies are often accompanied by other opinions which I find abhorrent. But Nash shows us time and time again how the Feminist's "trophy," abortion, cannot truly be compatible with true feminist feeling.
Unfortunately Nash is flawed, and falls into that very human trap of not following her own advice. At one point she attacks a pro-abortion apologist for using the "straw man" argument technique, and then procedes to use it herself.
She later describes (using numeric data where appropriate) the multiple ways in which women can be, and are, exploited around the world, and how many of these are supported by, rather than lessened by abortion. Abortion in itself can be coercive. Female foetuses are routinely destroyed around the world; a misogyny that is all too clear when one looks at the skewed gender balance in countries like China. I was shocked to read her descriptions of "bride burning" in India. It is these horrendous crimes that should be the issues that self-proclaimed feminists should be talking about (rather than the poor access to abortion). Hell, abortion ALLOWS many of these anti-woman activities to happen.
Much of the rest of the book is dedicated to the considerations that must be taken into account when talking about abortion and which are often missed. Pro-lifers and pro-choicers would both do well to always be compassionate and kind when passing judgements on the actions of others. Both camps should abhor unsafe medical practices, both camps should recognise the distress associated with a miscarriage, and legitimise that felt after an abortion. Both camps should recognise the wonderful and magical opportunity that women have to become mothers, but also the struggle and hardships that it presents. Both camps need to be consistent when they consider the rights of professionals who are directly or indirectly involved in such a controversial area - what should and should not be a professional duty for a doctor?
After this Nash returns once again to the most important ethical questions to do with the sanctity of the unborn and the inalienability of human rights. By reflecting on the works of John Stuart Mill she concludes that his writings, which are often used to counter the pro-life position, actually confirm the inviolability of human rights. The right to bodily integrity cannot be ABSOLUTE because this would violate the fundamental rights of another, which could be the most ultimate "the right to life."
Nash begins by outlining the big and glaring inconsistencies used by 4th wave feminists.
The main ethical argument that should be always addressed in any debate on abortion concerns the rights of the unborn child, and the status of the human person and when this begins. She laments that 4th-wavers often try and sidestep these issues, which makes any attempt at conversation ridiculous.
The current blind espousing of slogans, and colonisation of modern intellect is perhaps present in many current movements (insights from Douglas Murray's latest book spring to mind). Bullying, simplification, hypocrisy is rife.
It is obvious that Nash is a staunch and vocal feminist, and no matter how much some of her language around women makes me uncomfortable, it is perhaps because I know that these tendencies are often accompanied by other opinions which I find abhorrent. But Nash shows us time and time again how the Feminist's "trophy," abortion, cannot truly be compatible with true feminist feeling.
Unfortunately Nash is flawed, and falls into that very human trap of not following her own advice. At one point she attacks a pro-abortion apologist for using the "straw man" argument technique, and then procedes to use it herself.
She later describes (using numeric data where appropriate) the multiple ways in which women can be, and are, exploited around the world, and how many of these are supported by, rather than lessened by abortion. Abortion in itself can be coercive. Female foetuses are routinely destroyed around the world; a misogyny that is all too clear when one looks at the skewed gender balance in countries like China. I was shocked to read her descriptions of "bride burning" in India. It is these horrendous crimes that should be the issues that self-proclaimed feminists should be talking about (rather than the poor access to abortion). Hell, abortion ALLOWS many of these anti-woman activities to happen.
Much of the rest of the book is dedicated to the considerations that must be taken into account when talking about abortion and which are often missed. Pro-lifers and pro-choicers would both do well to always be compassionate and kind when passing judgements on the actions of others. Both camps should abhor unsafe medical practices, both camps should recognise the distress associated with a miscarriage, and legitimise that felt after an abortion. Both camps should recognise the wonderful and magical opportunity that women have to become mothers, but also the struggle and hardships that it presents. Both camps need to be consistent when they consider the rights of professionals who are directly or indirectly involved in such a controversial area - what should and should not be a professional duty for a doctor?
After this Nash returns once again to the most important ethical questions to do with the sanctity of the unborn and the inalienability of human rights. By reflecting on the works of John Stuart Mill she concludes that his writings, which are often used to counter the pro-life position, actually confirm the inviolability of human rights. The right to bodily integrity cannot be ABSOLUTE because this would violate the fundamental rights of another, which could be the most ultimate "the right to life."
July 15, 2020
This book skillfully deconstructs the arguments of pro-abortionists and exposes them for what they are: falsehoods meant to deceive. Fiorella Nash follows the arguments proponents for abortion have made from "its just a clump of cells" to "my body, my choice" and points out the flaws in each. Each chapter discusses a different point and is actually an essay she previously wrote. Each essay covers a different point and discusses issues facing women, some of which I had never even considered. She looks at all women, world-wide, not just women in Western countries, and discusses the issues they face daily. She also analyzes the thoughts of well-known feminists and takes them down like a wrestler takes down an opponent. I am left with the impression that there are women in the world at war with their own biology and with their creator. A quote from Camille Paglia and Nash's analysis of it is especially memorable. Says Paglia, "Women inspired by the Uranian Aphrodite to produce spiritual progeny should view abortion as a sword of self-defense put into their hands by Ares (Isn't Ares a man? Ironic that women should need a weapon made by a man.), the war god. Government, guaranteeing freedom of religion, has no right to interfere in our quarrel with our Creator, in this case pagan nature. Under the carnal constitution that precedes social citizenship, women have the right to bear arms. The battlefield is internal and it belongs to us." I won't even go into how strange and nutty this quote is and can't even imagine the mental state of a woman who thinks like this. But Fiorella Nash goes there, "...the unborn child in the woman's uterus has a right to be there; the uterus is designed for the specific purpose of gestating and protecting the unborn child. Only by taking the view Paglia appears to espouse, that a woman should be in a permanent state of warfare against her own body rather than in it defence, is it possible to take these approaches to the unborn seriously. Even then, the only option suggested by such a belief is to embrace a form of continuous human sacrifice as the price of female empowerment." (Page 177) And that is exactly what abortion is for women who think this way: a form of empowerment. Since when did killing your own child become empowerment? This thought process is heart-wrenching. Nash ends the book with two essays responding to the books of two pro-abortion women. She takes apart each book and reveals the flaws in each and the downright lies. The dirty tricks of pro-abortionists to prevent women from seeing the truth and being fully informed on what abortion truly is is criminal. Nash's book is a must-read for those who are pro-life and those who also happen to be feminists. The two can be synonymous and are. Nash proves it in her book.
August 12, 2018
This book does an excellent job of presenting position of the forgotten and often maligned group of women, those who see themselves as feminist, but are indisputably and irrevocably pro-life and/or anti abortion. Well done, Ms. Nash.
August 9, 2018
Great research, and well written.
September 30, 2020
Strong and solid arguments. Well written.
August 2, 2021
Amazing book. Logical, coherent, and POWERFUL essays and propositions.
February 10, 2022
Brought up a multitude of issues in an intelligent manner regarding the wellbeing and positions of women in cultures throughout the world and history. A very educational read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews