The US in Uterus: A Collaborative Autoethnography of Psychologists Advocating for Reproductive Justice

Abstract

In light of the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, millions of people with uteruses have been forced to navigate precarious access to reproductive care. Although health service psychologists have an ethical responsibility to engage in reproductive justice advocacy, training programs often do not adequately address sexual and reproductive health. Therefore, we sought to better understand how health service psychologists’ personal and professional experiences influence each other and explore the ways in which we as reproductive beings and advocates sustain ourselves amidst tremendous sociopolitical uncertainty. In order to do so, we employed a feminist collaborative autoethnography approach grounded in critical theory. Attending to intersectional identities that help shape diverse expectations and experiences, two early career psychologists and four trainees uncovered 12 domains: barriers in academia; reproductive (dis)empowerment; relational connection; power(lessness) associated with social locations; internalization of sex-negative messages; the influence of sociopolitical climate; burdens related to reproductive rights; evaluations of reproductive justice efforts; component of professional identity; expectations from family and community; overwhelming and exhausting advocacy; and fears of inadequacy. We conclude with limitations and implications for the continued promotion of advocacy through practice and training within and beyond the field of psychology.