Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the United States

by Rickie Solinger

Book Overview

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, advocates of legal abortion mostly used the termrightswhen describing their agenda. But afterRoe v. Wade,their determination to develop a respectable, nonconfrontational movement encouraged many of them to use the wordchoice--an easier concept for people weary of various rights movements. At first the distinction in language didn't seem to make much difference-the law seemed to guarantee both. But in the years since,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809097028
• ISBN13: 9780809097029
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Hill & Wang
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

a real eye opener

I consider myself pretty aware when it comes to reprodcutive rights issues, but after reading "Begger & Chooser" I realized that there was a lot I didn't know. I think Solinger does an amazing job of presenting a historical account of how the the politics of choice have moved from a rights based issue to a consumer issue. But, I was a bit frustrated and disappointed that she didn't offer any ideas of how these problem can and should be addressed.

Explores the changing language and evolving law

How do the politics of choice shape issues and laws surrounding adoption, abortion and welfare in this country? Rickie Solinger's Beggars And Choosers explores the changing language and evolving law since Roe V. Wade, examining historical distinctions between ethnic and social classes and how new politics and issues influence concepts of choice. An eye-opening presentation of how one woman's choice is another's burden.