Constructing the ‘perfect pregnancy’ today Dr Jennie Bristow, Canterbury Christ Church University Policing Pregnancy: Who should be a mother? 18 May 2017 jennie.bristow@canterbury.ac.uk

The 21st-century contradiction Women have unprecedented levels of sexual equality Education, politics, and work Yet women’s right to control their fertility remains limited Both ending and continuing a pregnancy is considered problematic

Standing on the shoulders of giants The ‘We Trust Women’ campaign to decriminalise abortion http://www.wetrustwomen.org.uk/

The continuing tension between public and private Victorian ‘separate sphere ideology’ excluded women from public life Now, increased equality in the social domain – BUT: Issues of ‘private life’ are increasingly seen as matters for public policy and intervention No distinction viewed between public and private domains Consequences for women’s autonomy – and beyond

Pregnant women in the frame

Incubating the citizens of the future So I believe if we are going to extend life chances in our country, it’s time to begin talking properly about parenting and babies and reinforcing what a huge choice having a child is in the first place, as well as what a big responsibility parents face in getting these early years right…’ David Cameron, 11 January 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/s peeches/prime-ministers-speech- on-life-chances

Parents as ‘toxic’ transmitters ‘I’ve spent two years being PC about parents. It’s kind of time to say if you’re giving very young kids bottles and bottles of fizzy drink you’re a fucking arsehole, you’re a tosser. If you’ve giving bags of shitty sweets at that very young age, you’re an idiot.’ Jamie Oliver, 2006

Biologised and ‘pro-life’ presumptions

Not a trade-off Citizenship involves engagement in public life and autonomy in private decision-making Standing up for pregnant women means standing up for what it means to be a citizen