Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom Book Review

I’ve been a feminist for nearly two decades. One of the things that has become apparent is that feminism is about women gaining control of our lives and our choices. Though who oppose this idea would rather that we remain the silent and dutiful helpmeets who do not dare to even consider speaking up for ourselves.

Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom, by Julie F. Kay and Kathryn Kolbert, was published last month. In the book, they talk about why Roe V. Wade is important and how after nearly fifty years, it is in serious danger of being gutted or destroyed completely. Speaking specifically about the Irish Abortion Referendum and the little ways the states are undermining it (i.e. the numerous fetal heartbeat bills), they talk about how important it is to save reproductive freedom.

I was reminded of two things while I read this book. The first is that if the anti-abortion activists get their way, the ones that will be most affected will be poor women and women of color. Historically, they have had the least amount of access to healthcare and specifically, women’s healthcare. Which leads to unsafe and deadly methods (i.e. coat hanger abortions) of ending pregnancies instead of doing so in a medically safe and healthy manner. The second is the call to action. We can talk all the talk we want, but until we walk the walk, a woman’s right to choose will always be on the verge of disappearing.

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