UNM Professors Publish Integral Book on Abortion Policy: UNM Newsroom

A timely new book by two University of New Mexico political science professors examines the key issue of abortion policy.

Johns Hopkins University Press has just published: Regulating Abortion: The Politics of American Abortion Policy, by Deborah R. McFarlane and Wendy L. Hansen.

Nearly one in four women in the United States will have an abortion during their lifetime. IN Regulating abortionMcFarlane and Hansen uncover the history of the complex web of abortion laws in the United States and shed light on the harsh realities of this highly regulated and politically divisive health care system.

“When we started this research in 2016, we had no idea that American abortion policy would be completely upended by the time we finished our book,” McFarlane said.

McFarlane and Hansen delve into the historical development of abortion laws since then Roe v. Wade. They are examining the reasons behind sweeping regulation of what they believe is a routine and safe medical procedure. The authors examine many factors that influence state-level abortion policy, including party affiliation, religion, women’s representation in legislatures, and political input.

“State abortion laws have been a moving target since the 1980s, with an overall increase in abortion restrictions accelerated by partisan politics and the overturning of the abortion bill in 2022. Roe v. Wade” Hansen said.

By showing how these factors shape the landscape of abortion laws in different states, they also reveal the different methods and justifications used to limit or protect access to abortion, with particular attention to the disproportionate impact on women of color.

“Regulating abortion skillfully navigates the difficult landscape of abortion restrictions, shedding light on the many ways in which abortion care is marginalized and contributes to health inequities in the United States,” said Eve Espey, UNM Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Family Planning. “This thoroughly researched work is essential for readers seeking a detailed understanding of the origins and effects of state and federal abortion restrictions.”

A recent landmark 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned long-standing precedents. McFarlane and Hansen provide an update on the implications of this ruling and how it further widens disparities among states in abortion regulation.