Abortion, Reproductive Justice, and Intersectional Inequity

Although many people recognize that access to abortion and abortion stigma are connected to systemic and interpersonal sexism, it may not always be clear to all how abortion is connected to other forms of systemic oppression. This chapter situates abortion within equity-based frameworks, such as reproductive justice and intersectionality, to understand how sociopolitical injustices affect abortion experiences. This chapter contextualizes how people’s experiences of accessing abortion may be influenced by pro-natalist messages (e.g., “Having children is your duty”) and anti-natalist messages (“You shouldn’t be having children”), as well as how said messages are targeted based on people’s social positions and identities. Throughout this chapter, the authors provide context for how abortion and pregnancy decision-making may be influenced by systems such as sexism, cissexism, racism, ableism, and ageism/adultism, as well as through wealth inequality. The authors encourage psychotherapists to identify and challenge various biases and stereotypes they may hold so that they can provide compassionate, culturally attuned, and equitable care to all people around their abortion experiences.