Edited by Hannah Zagel, Professor of Life Course Sociology, WZB Berlin Social Science Center and TU Dortmund University, Germany
This open-access book investigates how governments are involved in human reproduction. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the book gathers crucial insights from the fields of sociology, law, political science and demography to better understand reproduction policy in the twenty-first century.
Arguing that reproduction policy is a regulatory domain of the welfare state, expert authors from across the globe analyse cases concerning sexuality education, contraception, abortion, pregnancy care, medically assisted reproduction and related policies. Cross-country and cross-policy comparisons reveal how ideologies, policy goals, and instruments in this domain are interlinked, and show where these interrelations contradict. Ultimately, Reproduction Policy in the Twenty-First Century highlights the need for further comparative academic work on reproduction policy, recommending a future research agenda which will influence the creation of policy landscapes that support the reproductive welfare of all.
This timely book is a crucial resource for students and researchers of comparative social policy, human rights law, politics and public policy. Building on cornerstone feminist arguments, it is also of interest to sociologists more broadly as it investigates social inequalities in the domain of reproduction.