The Abortion Act 1967 : a biography of a UK law / Sally Sheldon, University of Bristol and University of Technology Sydney; Gayle Davis, University of Edinburgh; Jane O'Neill, University of Edinburgh; Clare Parker, University of Adelaide.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 306-335) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- The early years -- The parliamentary battle for restrictive reform -- The battle for normalisation -- The battle for legal meaning -- The battle for Northern Ireland -- The parliamentary battle for modernising reform -- A biography of the 'Great Untouchable.'
Summary:
"The Abortion Act 1967 may be the most contested law in UK history, sitting on a fault line between the shifting tectonic plates of a rapidly transforming society. While it has survived repeated calls for its reform, with its text barely altered for over five decades, women's experiences of accessing abortion services under it have evolved considerably. Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews, this book explores how the Abortion Act was given meaning by a diverse cast of actors including women seeking access to services, doctors and service providers, campaigners, judges, lawyers, and policy makers. By adopting an innovative biographical approach to the law, the book shows that the Abortion Act is a 'living law'. Using this historically grounded socio-legal approach, this enlightening book demonstrates how the Abortion Act both shaped and was shaped by a constantly changing society"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.