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‘We view that as contraceptive failure’: Containing the ‘multiplicity’ of contraception and abortion within Scottish reproductive healthcare

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  • Beynon-Jones, Siân M.

Abstract

Within contemporary Scottish policy guidance, abortion is routinely configured as evidence of a resolvable problem with the healthcare provision of contraception. This article draws on 42 semi-structured interviews with Scottish health professionals conducted during 2007–2008, in order to explore how, and in what form, realities of contraception/abortion are sustained within abortion practice. In addition to providing empirical insights concerning this sociologically neglected aspect of reproductive healthcare, it demonstrates how a novel conceptual approach could be used to develop existing social scientific analyses of the provision of techniques of fertility prevention. Science and Technology Studies (STS) has highlighted the importance of studying the complex socio-material practices through which realities are enacted (or ‘performed’). Mobilising this insight, my analysis illustrates the complex socio-material work required to enact abortion as evidence of a ‘problem’ with contraception that is resolvable within the healthcare consultation. This work, I argue, renders visible the ontologically ‘multiple’ (Mol, 2002) nature of contraception/abortion, with important implications for both social science and policy approaches to these techniques of fertility prevention.

Suggested Citation

  • Beynon-Jones, Siân M., 2013. "‘We view that as contraceptive failure’: Containing the ‘multiplicity’ of contraception and abortion within Scottish reproductive healthcare," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 105-112.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:80:y:2013:i:c:p:105-112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.12.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harris, Lisa Hope & Debbink, Michelle & Martin, Lisa & Hassinger, Jane, 2011. "Dynamics of stigma in abortion work: Findings from a pilot study of the Providers Share Workshop," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(7), pages 1062-1070.
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    4. Georges, Eugenia, 1996. "Abortion policy and practice in Greece," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 509-519, February.
    5. Ziebland, Sue, 1999. "Emergency contraception: an anomalous position in the family planning repertoire?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 49(10), pages 1409-1417, November.
    6. Renne, Elisha P., 1997. "Local and institutional interpretations of IUDs in southwestern Nigeria," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 1141-1148, April.
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