Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Dr. Miranda Melcher
Guest: Dr. Katherine J. Parkin
Episode: Katherine J. Parkin, "The Abortion Market: Buying and Selling Access in the Era Before Roe"
Date: October 6, 2025
Book Discussed: The Abortion Market: Buying and Selling Access in the Era Before Roe (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2025)

Overview

This episode delves into the untold history of abortion access in the United States before the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Dr. Katherine J. Parkin, historian and author, shares her research on how abortion was not only a widespread practice but also a major economic and social force, openly advertised and facilitated by networks spanning from local communities to the heights of media and policy. The conversation explores the surprising intersections of population control, eugenics, feminism, socioeconomic disparity, and the complex mechanisms women used to seek and pay for abortions in a largely illegal environment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Motivation and Research Origins

• Surprise at Public Abortion Advertising: Dr. Parkin was startled to find a 1971 newspaper ad for an abortion directory, challenging her belief that pre-Roe abortion was always secret and hidden.
  • “I really had no idea that abortions were being advertised everywhere and that they were big business.” (02:46–04:06)
• Personal Narratives: Interviewees mentioned coded language for abortion, indicating both secrecy and an undercurrent of shared knowledge.

2. Political Context: Population Control, Eugenics, and Feminism

• Unexpected Drivers: Mainstream conversations and funding for abortion were, at times, motivated less by feminist ideals and more by concerns over population control and eugenics.
  • “Some of [the people fighting for abortion access] are also driven by concerns around population control … the goal … was really to ensure that people could have abortions to control the population.” (05:03–08:51)
• Influence of Wealthy Donors: Funding from population control advocates paid for media coverage, scientific research, and legal battles for abortion rights.
• Eugenics Connection: Not all population control activists were eugenicists, but many key leaders were. Organizations rebranded and shifted language to escape negative eugenics associations post-WWII.
  • “Among the leaders … I found it somewhat helpful to have a list that I discovered of members of the American Eugenics Society ... many of the leaders in the effort to bring about abortion access.” (09:01–11:54)

3. Market Size and Access

• Stunning Statistics: Estimates indicate 1–2 million women sought abortions annually before Roe—reflecting both immense demand and the scale of clandestine networks.
  • “The estimates at the time were that 1 million girls and women were seeking abortions each year … the numbers are tremendous.” (13:40–14:29)
• Barriers to Information: Those with class or race privileges (e.g., wealthier women, those with doctor contacts) had more consistent access. Others relied on informal networks or dangerous self-abortion methods.

4. Finding and Funding Abortions

• Paths to Access: Women approached friends, doctors, even hotel employees and taxi drivers for leads.
  • “They would ask a bellhop at a hotel, they would ask a taxi driver. They were trying to find people who might have information ... For many, [answers] were really elusive.” (15:00–17:26)
• College Campuses: Despite proximity and networks, information was still largely hidden until legal reforms in NY (1970). Student groups then became major information and support hubs.
  • “Without that access to abortion and without that kind of even awareness … they're only seeing dropping out and continuing the pregnancy as their only option.” (17:51–20:31)
• Financial Hurdles: Pre-1970, abortions cost around $1,000 (about $10,000 today) before travel and other expenses—a massive burden, equivalent to a year’s college tuition.
  • “It was astronomical, the cost for these women … to raise that kind of money, you can't just wait more tables.” (21:57–26:31)
• Creative Solutions: From feminist “kitty” funds to official student loan initiatives and even publicized abortion loans at banks, communities innovated to overcome financial barriers.

5. Geographies of Abortion Access

• Major Hubs: Abortions occurred everywhere, but destination hubs (especially pre-NY legalization) included Cuba, Miami, Puerto Rico, border cities and, unexpectedly, Mexico City, London, and Japan.
  • “The first place that people are headed in the 50s is Cuba … the doctors flee and many of them go to Miami … Puerto Rico … Mexico City … London … Japan.” (27:11–32:12)
• Shifting Centers Post-Legalization: NYC became the prime abortion destination, followed by California, Kansas, and Washington D.C.—each capitalizing on legal “island” status or unique legislative reforms.
  • “Kansas takes off especially because of population control, but also because … they're able to convince the legislature to allow them to offer what are called therapeutic abortions without restrictions.” (27:11–35:27)
• Why These Places: Combination of “island” effect, leadership in medical and political professionalism, and the influence of population control advocates.
  • “The other three examples of California, D.C. and New York are really emerging out of this decades long effort to try to reform the laws … all coming from the population control movement.” (35:52–38:37)

6. Constant Surprises in the Research

• Population Control’s Central Role: Dr. Parkin had to add a full chapter on population control/eugenics after realizing its inescapable influence—even after most of her draft was finished.
  • “I almost couldn't believe it in terms of its importance and centrality, as you said, in weaving all these threads together.” (39:03–39:58)

7. Looking Forward

• Upcoming Work: Dr. Parkin plans to research changing U.S. attitudes towards abortion, exploring how opinion shifted toward seeing access as a right, even in the face of mounting restrictions.
  • “...go back and look at how these individuals and organizations tried to change attitudes about abortion and what it was that got us to that majority of believing that abortion is a human right...” (40:29–41:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the surprising visibility of abortion ads
  “I really had no idea that abortions were being advertised everywhere and that they were big business.”
  — Dr. Katherine J. Parkin (04:06)

• On population control and funding legalization efforts
  “Ultimately, their efforts do create the legal apparatus that eventually gives us, for however long, five decades, Roe v. Wade, and help to establish all of the legal precedent. They funded the studies that were then cited in the decision.”
  — Dr. Parkin (12:23)

• On cost and financial innovation
  “Before 1970 ... the average cost of an abortion was $1,000 ... the equivalent of about $10,000. … there are formal mechanisms [to help], informal mechanisms ... pooling your money together so that if someone in your group got pregnant and needed an abortion, you would together recognize it could be you...”
  — Dr. Parkin (21:57–26:31)

• On the key role of “island” states and cities
  “I think the concept of an island is helpful. The idea that you're separated from access as Hawaii and Alaska were ... So you can't just fly in and fly out and they're meeting the need of people in their states. I think the same principle holds true for Kansas.”
  — Dr. Parkin (35:52–38:37)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Motivation & Background: 02:40–04:06
• Politics: Population Control, Eugenics, Feminism: 05:03–11:54
• Scale of the Market: 13:40–14:29
• Seeking Information & Barriers: 15:00–17:26
• Campus Access & Mobilization: 17:51–20:31
• Financial Hurdles & Strategies: 21:57–26:31
• Abortion Destinations & Geography: 27:11–35:27
• Legalization Patterns & “Islands”: 35:52–38:37
• Surprises in Research: 39:03–39:58
• Future Research Plans: 40:29–41:31

Tone and Final Insights

The discussion maintains a factual, inquisitive, and at times astonished tone as both host and guest repeatedly confront and reconsider common assumptions about abortion history. Dr. Parkin’s openness about her own surprises, as well as vivid descriptions of both hardship and activism, make the episode at once scholarly and deeply human.

Recommended for anyone interested in American history, gender studies, reproductive rights, or the intersection of social movements and economic forces.