Abortion Politics : : The Hawaii Experience / / Milton Diamond, Patricia G. Steinhoff.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter University of Hawaii Press Archive eBook-Package Pre-2000
• VerfasserIn: Steinhoff, Patricia G.,; Diamond, Milton,
• Place / Publishing House: Honolulu : : University of Hawaii Press, , [2021]; ©1977
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (270 p.)

In 1970, Hawaii became the first state to repeal its criminal abortion law. The story of Hawaii's experience, the grass-roots campaign that dramatically changed public consciousness about abortion and translated public concern into institutional change, is recounted here in detail, reliving the high emotion with which events were charged.Timing was critical in making repeal possible. During the 1960s, many individuals had independently come to the conclusion that abortion was not a criminal act. For many doctors, after the rubella epidemic and the thalidomide tragedies, abortion had become an acceptable alternative. The women's rights movement gave the campaign for repeal further impetus.But why was Hawaii the first state to repeal its law? Possible reasons are the multiethnic, multicultural backgrounds of Hawaii's citizens, with their tolerance for diverse beliefs and opinions, and the more than ordinary sensitivity of legislators in this small state to public opinion.The authors, observers as well as participants in the campaign for repeal, have succeeded in presenting an objective, unbiased account. Drawing upon legal and legislative reports, newspaper files, surveys and interviews of the participants, and oral and written reports of the legislative committee hearings, the authors show how radical changes can be made through the system.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 Setting the Stage -- 2 Personalities -- 3 Tactics Aimed at the Public -- 4 Tactics Aimed at the Legislature -- 5 Pro-Repeal Issues: Human Control of Social Problems -- 6 Anti-Repeal Issues: The Right to Life -- 7 Give and Take -- 8 Legislative Politics -- 9 From Bill to Law -- 10 The New Law's Impact -- 11 Analysis and Evaluation -- Appendix: Questionnaire to Legislators -- Notes -- Index