Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. This chapter considers the general social forces in the two societies UK and US. It argues that by fighting for day-care facilities, equal opportunities for employment and education, and for the abolition of all laws against abortion, women would not only improve their own position in society but would help to encourage the struggle of other oppressed groups. Pro-choice groups argue that the major effect of legalization is to transfer abortions from the illegal to the legal sector, and in support of their case they point to the decline in the number of police prosecutions and deaths from illegal abortions. In contrast, anti-abortionists argue that the number of abortions before legalization was relatively small but that the change in the law has altered attitudes. The supporters of legalization point to medical evidence that abortion is much safer than childbirth.