Feminism, Abortion and Disability: irreconcilable differences?

Sharp, Keith and Earle, Sarah (2002). Feminism, Abortion and Disability: irreconcilable differences? Disability and Society, 17(2) pp. 137–145.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687590120122297

URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cds...

Abstract

There has been considerable discussion of the political allegiance between the feminist and disability movements, but the question of abortion remains a thorny one. Disability rights advocates have been keen to demonstrate that it is possible to believe in a woman's right to sovereignty over the body and, yet, be opposed to the selective abortion of an impaired foetus – describing the latter as a form of 'weak' eugenics.

The aim of this paper is to show that whilst there may be some points of agreement between the feminist and disability movements on the question of abortion, there exist fundamental and irreconcilable differences.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 12756
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1360-0508
• Keywords
• Disability; abortion; feminism; women's health; reproductive rights; sociology
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) > Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
  Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)
• Depositing User
• Sarah Earle