We live, I am trying to say, in an epidemic of male violence against women.
Katha PollittRead
I think the meaning of abortion is what the woman says it is: For a woman who wants a child but can't have this one, it can be sad; for a woman who doesn't want a baby, it can feel like a huge relief, like having your whole life given back to you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that the meaning of abortion is subjective and depends on the woman's perspective.
Katha Pollitt's quote highlights the deeply personal nature of abortion and how it can evoke different emotions based on a woman's circumstances and desires. For some women, the decision to terminate a pregnancy may bring about feelings of sadness and loss, particularly if they long for a child. In contrast, for others who do not wish to have a baby, it can be a liberating experience, offering a return to a life plan they had envisioned. This quote illustrates the complex emotional landscape surrounding the topic of abortion, stressing that it is the woman's own feelings and situation that ultimately define its meaning for her.
Themes
AbortionWomanChoiceFeelingsLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about reproductive rights.
More from Katha Pollitt
All quotes →We need to say that women have sex, have abortions, are at peace with the decision, and move on with their lives. We need to say that is their right, and, moreover, it's good for everyone that they have this right: The whole society benefits when motherhood is voluntary.
Katha PollittRead
Misogyny runs deeper than religion.
Katha PollittRead
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