ABSTRACT

The debate on abortion has tended to avoid the psychological significance of an unwanted pregnancy, dominated istead by the strong emotions the subject excites. Eva Pattis Zoja examines the thoughts that surround a woman's decision to end a pregnancy, and presents the challenging thesis that voluntary abortion can often be a violent and unconscious act of self-realisation.
Treating a theme which is central to our existence, the author makes no attempt to argue for or against, or to deny the painful nature of the subject which she tackles, but instead looks at the way in which a decision to abort can affect a woman's inner life.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|3 pages

Abortion: A non-place

chapter 2|3 pages

A SLIP IN BIRTH CONTROL?

chapter 3|3 pages

Anthropological reflections

chapter 4|5 pages

A comparison

chapter 5|4 pages

The chronics

chapter 6|3 pages

The goals of an abortion

chapter 7|15 pages

Unconsciously desired

chapter 8|5 pages

Initiation and maternity

chapter 9|5 pages

Initiation and abortion

chapter 10|4 pages

BEYOND THE MOTHER: ARTEMIS AND ATHENA

chapter 11|5 pages

Killing

chapter 12|15 pages

Two choices

chapter 13|4 pages

A sacrifice

chapter 14|4 pages

THE GUILT OF BECOMING AN ADULT

chapter 15|8 pages

An ulterior threshold

chapter 16|9 pages

ABORTION AND THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

chapter 17|2 pages

The non-father

chapter 18|5 pages

The escorts