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lindsayw's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing. The part that resonated with me the most was actually the introduction though, particularly this: “when a pregnancy is unplanned, any subsequent choice is bound to be complicated”. While the term 'Choice' generally invokes the idea of one's views on abortion, what Bender and the other authors point out is that whatever a woman decides to do, the choice she makes isn't going to be one that she takes lightly. What is important is that she HAS a choice.
This book comes from a US perspective, so it was slightly different contextually from the reality in Canada, but that didn't make the stories within this book any less poignant. These are beautiful stories that cover all sorts of perspectives about what Choice really means: women who are single parents, who gave children up for adoption, who had abortions, who underwent fertility treatments to have a much-wanted child, and women who chose to remain child-free. It was so refreshing to read all of these different perspectives, and to hear about the different paths one can take in life when there is a choice available. As the intro points out: "“if you take away a woman’s reproductive rights, you take away her human rights”.
At times, I found this book a bit repetitive, but that really only happened when I tried to read several essays in a row. When I approached them one at a time, however, it was much better, and gave more meaning and insight to each essay that I felt I was missing out on when I tried to read a lot at a time. Overall, a wonderful book, which reminds us "When a woman has no choice, she has no freedom. The path of her life is not her own." It is essential to remember just how important it is to protect that freedom.
This book comes from a US perspective, so it was slightly different contextually from the reality in Canada, but that didn't make the stories within this book any less poignant. These are beautiful stories that cover all sorts of perspectives about what Choice really means: women who are single parents, who gave children up for adoption, who had abortions, who underwent fertility treatments to have a much-wanted child, and women who chose to remain child-free. It was so refreshing to read all of these different perspectives, and to hear about the different paths one can take in life when there is a choice available. As the intro points out: "“if you take away a woman’s reproductive rights, you take away her human rights”.
At times, I found this book a bit repetitive, but that really only happened when I tried to read several essays in a row. When I approached them one at a time, however, it was much better, and gave more meaning and insight to each essay that I felt I was missing out on when I tried to read a lot at a time. Overall, a wonderful book, which reminds us "When a woman has no choice, she has no freedom. The path of her life is not her own." It is essential to remember just how important it is to protect that freedom.
veefuller's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first read during women's history month, and with the full awareness that we are increasingly edging our way towards a reality in which choice no longer exists.
I absolutely think everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- should read this book. Make it mandatory reading in sex education classes as a minimum.
It's no secret that I am staunchly and firmly pro-choice. And my life has largely been possible because I've been free to make decisions regarding my own desire to reproduce. Had I not had some options open to me, it's very much unlikely that I'd have gone to graduate school or landed in Moscow or met The Cuban. What an astounding reality and one I'm so grateful I don't have to contemplate for long.
I'll never question any choices any other woman makes regarding what she chooses to do with her own body. Those are decisions she must live with as I live with my own decisions. And I will never stop fighting for the young women who follow me so that they will have all of the choices they need available to them.
Abortion should be legal, and safe and rare. And the only way that becomes a reality is if we stop trying to regulate women's bodies. And my favourite bumper sticker is still this:
'How can you trust me with a baby if you can't even trust me with a choice?'
My body, my choice. Full stop.
#womenhistorymonth
I absolutely think everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- should read this book. Make it mandatory reading in sex education classes as a minimum.
It's no secret that I am staunchly and firmly pro-choice. And my life has largely been possible because I've been free to make decisions regarding my own desire to reproduce. Had I not had some options open to me, it's very much unlikely that I'd have gone to graduate school or landed in Moscow or met The Cuban. What an astounding reality and one I'm so grateful I don't have to contemplate for long.
I'll never question any choices any other woman makes regarding what she chooses to do with her own body. Those are decisions she must live with as I live with my own decisions. And I will never stop fighting for the young women who follow me so that they will have all of the choices they need available to them.
Abortion should be legal, and safe and rare. And the only way that becomes a reality is if we stop trying to regulate women's bodies. And my favourite bumper sticker is still this:
'How can you trust me with a baby if you can't even trust me with a choice?'
My body, my choice. Full stop.
#womenhistorymonth
nyertryingtoreadeverything's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the hardest books I have read this year. In terms of the abortion debate people rarely think with compassion of those with differing views. That's a huge problem in the abortion debate.
These essays deal with a more difficult issue in our society. The choices of parenthood are often thought of to be only joyous. Often though their is a lot of heartbreak around these decisions which people are made to feel ashamed of. It's rare, though maybe it will change, to see this discussed. As a reader opening that conversation was so important.
Thank you so much to the editors and essay writers for sharing their stories.
These essays deal with a more difficult issue in our society. The choices of parenthood are often thought of to be only joyous. Often though their is a lot of heartbreak around these decisions which people are made to feel ashamed of. It's rare, though maybe it will change, to see this discussed. As a reader opening that conversation was so important.
Thank you so much to the editors and essay writers for sharing their stories.
hpayne's review
4.0
A re-read. Another collection of essays that may seem heavy. But the personal nature of the essays helps to make connection with the topic.
overdueshrew's review
5.0
Every essay in this collection was excellent - well written and thoughtful. Highly recommended for anyone with any stance on reproductive choices.
veganemelda's review
4.0
While I would have rated this lowly because I personally wasn't impressed with many of the essays- plus, aesthetically, the book could have looked nicer- I think this is a great book for someone beginning their journey on reproductive rights issues. It hits on abortion, parenting, adoption, miscarriage (some of those voluntary, some forced) and a few essays touch upon class, race, etc.
I skipped the last essay because I can't stand when privileged feminists wax poetic about how beautiful the language of Roe V. Wade is.
"Water Children" was the most memorable essay for me, regarding one of the editor's miscarriage and subsequent pregnancy. It reminded me so much of my sister I wish I could copy it and send it to her.
I skipped the last essay because I can't stand when privileged feminists wax poetic about how beautiful the language of Roe V. Wade is.
"Water Children" was the most memorable essay for me, regarding one of the editor's miscarriage and subsequent pregnancy. It reminded me so much of my sister I wish I could copy it and send it to her.
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