Preview
  • Scarlet A

  • The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Ordinary Abortion
  • By: Katie Watson
  • Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
  • Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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Scarlet A

By: Katie Watson
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
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Publisher's summary

Although Roe v. Wade identified abortion as a constitutional right 45 years ago, it still bears stigma - a proverbial scarlet A. Millions of Americans have participated in or benefited from an abortion, but few want to reveal that they have done so. Approximately one in five pregnancies in the US ends in abortion. Why is something so common, which has been legal so long, still a source of shame and secrecy? Why is it so regularly debated by politicians and so seldom divulged from friend to friend?

In public discussion, both proponents and opponents of abortion's legality tend to focus on extraordinary cases. This tendency keeps the national debate polarized and contentious and keeps our focus on the cases that occur the least.

Professor Katie Watson focuses instead on the cases that happen the most, which she calls "ordinary abortion". Scarlet A gives the reflective listener a more accurate impression of what the majority of American abortion practice really looks like. It explains how our silence around private experience has distorted public opinion, and how, including both ordinary abortion and abortion ethics, could make our public exchanges more fruitful.

©2018 Katie Watson (P)2018 Tantor
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Thank you!

Thank you so much for this thoughtful and caring book. This perspective is badly needed in our country.

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Everyone should read this book

This is one of the best nonfiction books I have read. I would love to send it to everybody I know so we would be more likely to have civil discourse on this topic. Very educational, thoughtful and fair.

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Complete and Engaging

An engaging combination of practical facts, philosophy, and case studies. A comprehensive outline on the cultural and ethical debate over abortion.

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4 people found this helpful

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I used to be Anti-choice

But after losing my religion I decided that I have no right to tell another woman what she can or can't do with her body. I understand there are people who don't believe in abortion. that's fine, they don't need to ever get one but they have no right to tell someone else how to live their lives. Leave religion out of this. I think abortion should just be...not legal or illegal, it's just there for whatever WOMAN (men need to butt out) needs/wants one.

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learning

I wanted to learn all I could about abortion. It seems so black and white for some. This helped

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very engaging great listen. makes you think

whatever position you have on abortion, this book covers the topic respectfully and intelligently.

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