LEE, Jennifer ORCID: 0000-0002-5383-694X (2007) Shrinking. Verandah (22). pp. 24-28. ISSN 1448-4900

Abstract

Research background: 'Shrinking' is a memoir piece that is aligned with feminist notions of the freedom to choose abortion, yet it acknowledges the personal difficulties of dealing with a taboo act at a young age. It is an unflinching memoir of a young woman's pregnancy and abortion, and the isolation, judgement and shame surrounding that. The research question driving this piece is: when abortion is treated as a secretive and taboo act within our society, does the act of hiding a medical procedure cause trauma? Research contribution: This short story is written as a personal account of abortion. Its focus is on the shame attached to the act and the taboo and silence surrounding abortion as a medical procedure. By writing and publishing about hidden experiences, the contribution to new knowledge is to reveal what is going on under the surface of our ‘everyday lives’ and to provide an alternative narrative – that of disclosure and an antidote to secrecy and shame. Research significance: 'Shrinking', the short memoir, was awarded the HarperCollins literary prize. It was subsequently published in Verandah literary journal, as well as performed at the Next Wave Festival, thereby reaching a wide audience.

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