YA Books and Teens in a Post-Roe America

YA + Abortion

Will it be okay to even talk about teens and abortion in some US communities anymore? As the US has nullified Roe and the right to a medical procedure for pregnant folks, I can’t stop thinking about teens who are in a position of needing an abortion.

This decision has shown itself in some stunningly awful ways in the past week. Right now, I’m watching countless right-wing groups itching to protest Scholastic–as in the entire publisher–and hoping to get their school districts to disinvite the annual book fairs hosted under the publisher’s name. Why? Because a senior editor dared tweet about wanting to publish more books about teens needing to make an abortion decision.

I don’t know if I have anything eloquent or unique to say on this other than expect more book challenges on titles featuring abortion to start coming down the line. I’m already envisioning a fall where these books are purged from states with newly enacted abortion laws while they’re added to those states without, creating not only a massive gap in medical care state-by-state but a gap in access to information, too.

If you’re feeling as helpless as I am–and I say this as someone who is active, engaged, and regularly involved in advocacy in time, money, and energy–maybe some links to resources and intellectual grappling with the topics of teens and abortion can help.

• YA abortion books (a post I put together on my personal blog last fall)
• Lisabeth Posthuma wrote this piece for “What’s Up in YA?” last fall on why abortion narratives in YA are so important.
• Tirzah talks about why reproductive freedom is a YA issue on this week’s Hey YA podcast.
• Jane’s Due Process is a nonprofit in Texas that helps teens seek the abortion care they need.
• Anti-Racism Daily breaks down the recent ruling and highlights local orgs and networks, as well as action items for protecting medical rights.

A couple of other things you can do right now include borrowing abortion-themed books from your local library–fiction, nonfiction, whatever interests you most–and writing in support of those books to your local school library and public library. If you’re so inclined, a letter to your local paper might be worthwhile, too, both addressing your belief in access to healthcare and access to information about healthcare for people of all ages and genders. It might not seem like much, but a person in a tough position may feel comforted by knowing there is at least one person in their community who sees them and supports them.

I’d also recommend seeing what local mutual aid and networks are in your community. If you have the means to volunteer or donate to them, reach out. Groups like Planned Parenthood are great, but there are and have been local-level networks planning for this for years who are worth knowing and boosting.