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

2. 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

3. Standing on the shoulders of giants
The ‘We Trust Women’ campaign to decriminalise abortion

4. 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

5. Pregnant women in the frame

6. 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
peeches/prime-ministers-speech- on-life-chances

7. 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

8. Biologised and ‘pro-life’ presumptions

9. 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