Reproductive Health and Maternal Sacrifice

Women, Choice and Responsibility
1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-1-137-47292-2
Verlag: Palgrave Macmillan UK

Buch, Englisch, 224 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 4098 g

This book demonstrates that the symbol of maternal sacrifice is the notion that 'proper' women put the welfare of children, whether born, in utero or not conceived, over and above any choices and desires of their own. The idea of maternal sacrifice acts as powerful signifier in judging women's behaviour that goes beyond necessary care for any children. The book traces its presence in various aspects of reproductive health, from contraception to breastfeeding. 
Pam Lowe shows how although nominally choices are presented to women around reproductive health, maternal sacrifice is used to discipline women into conforming to specific norms, reasserting traditional forms of womanhood. This has significant implications for women's autonomy. Women can resist or reject this disciplinary position when making reproductive decisions, but in doing so, they may be positioned as transgressing and/or need to justify their decisions. The book will be of great interest to scholars of sociology, gender studies and health studies.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Lowe, Pam

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Gesundheitssoziologie, Medizinsoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Feminismus, Feministische Theorie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Abtreibung, Geburtenkontrolle: Soziale & Ethische Themen
• Medizin | Veterinärmedizin Medizin | Public Health | Pharmazie | Zahnmedizin Medizin, Gesundheitswesen Medizinische Soziologie & Psychologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Responsible 'Choices' and Good Motherhood.- Chapter 3. Regulating Contraception and Abortion.- Chapter 4. Conceiving Motherhood.- Chapter 5. Idealized Pregnancy.- Chapter 6. Birth Plans.- Chapter 7. Raising Babies.- Chapter 8. Maternal Sacrifice and Choice.

Über Autor(innen)

Pam Lowe is Senior Lecturer in the School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University, UK. Her teaching and research are centred around women's reproductive health. Her previous work includes examining experiences of contraception, discourses surrounding foetal alcohol syndrome and the deployment of neuroscience in parenting policies.