013 - Opening Plenary Session. Abortion in America: A Discussion with the Only Doctor Providing Abortions in Mississippi and Three Sociologists

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

Abortion was enshrined as a legal right with the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision. Yet legislatures pass and courts permit some restrictions, large geographical areas have no abortion providers, and political conflict rages. After a brief introduction to relevant trends by demographer Phil Morgan, the featured speaker will be Dr. Willie Parker, the only doctor providing abortions in Mississippi. He will discuss the struggles entailed in doing this work, and what he has learned about the lives of the women that seek abortions. Following his talk, two sociologists will provide brief accounts of their relevant research. Zakiya Luna will discuss the reproductive justice movement, which engages in cross-movement organizing to achieve a world where people have access to abortion as well as support for having children and parenting with dignity. Sarah K. Cowan will highlight how abortions are discussed—or kept secret—in social networks, and how this can affect political opinion. Audience members will then join in a discussion with Dr. Parker and the panelists.

Sub Unit

• Plenary and Presidential Panels

Session Organizer

• Paula England, New York University

Presider

• Paula England, New York University

Panelists

• Willie Parker, M.D., Jackson Women's Health Organization

• S. Philip Morgan, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• Zakiya T. Luna, University of California-Santa Barbara

• Sarah K. Cowan, New York University