The Over-Medicalization and Corrupted Medicalization of Abortion and Its Effect on Women Living in Poverty

Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Forthcoming

24 Pages Posted: 9 Oct 2018

See all articles by Lois L. Shepherd

Lois L. Shepherd

University of Virginia Center for Health Humanities and Ethics; University of Virginia School of Law

Hilary Turner

University of Virginia - School of Law, Alumnus or Degree Candidate Author

Date Written: September 12, 2018

Abstract

Many current abortion regulations over-medicalize abortion or corrupt its true medical nature, with disproportionate consequences to women with lower incomes and lesser means. This article explores the effects of unnecessary and harmful abortion restrictions on women living in poverty. A brief summary of the major abortion rights cases explains how the Constitution, as currently interpreted, vests the government and sometimes the medical profession with the power to protect women’s health, rather than granting this power to women themselves. The article then argues for a new approach for protecting women’s health and respecting their dignity by reframing reproductive rights as health rights that women themselves can assert.

Keywords: Abortion, TRAP Laws, Women’s Health, Poverty, Medicalization, Whole Woman’s Health

Suggested Citation

Shepherd, Lois L. and Turner, Hilary, The Over-Medicalization and Corrupted Medicalization of Abortion and Its Effect on Women Living in Poverty (September 12, 2018). Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3248765

Lois L. Shepherd (Contact Author)

University of Virginia Center for Health Humanities and Ethics ( email )

Box 800758
Charlottesville, VA 22901
United States
434-982-3970 (Phone)

University of Virginia School of Law

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States

Hilary Turner

University of Virginia - School of Law, Alumnus or Degree Candidate Author ( email )

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States

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