The sociology of women's abortion experiences: recent research and future directions

Purcell, C. (2015) The sociology of women's abortion experiences: recent research and future directions. Sociology Compass, 9(7), pp. 585-596. (doi: 10.1111/soc4.12275)

Abstract

Abortion is a common and essential reproductive healthcare procedure experienced by approximately one third of women at some time in their life. Abortion is also commonly politicised and presented in public discourse as inherently contentious or controversial. However, recent sociological research on women's experiences of abortion is relatively thin on the ground. The body of qualitative research on abortion experiences, which does exist, varies in scope and focus on a relatively limited range of themes. Building on an earlier review of qualitative research on women's abortion experiences, this paper explores the recent literature and identifies three key thematic areas: the context of abortion; reasons and decision-making; and abortion stigma. It then goes on to identify gaps in the literature, to explore what shape a sociology of women's abortion experiences might take and to suggest future directions for sociological research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Purcell, Dr Carrie
• Authors: Purcell, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Sociology Compass
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 1751-9020
• ISSN (Online): 1751-9020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Sociology Compass 9(7):585-596
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy