Title

Gender Performances During Labor And Birth In The Midwives Model Of Care

Keywords

Childbirth; Femininity; Gender performance; Midwives; Reproduction

Abstract

Previous research suggests many middle-class white women attempt to maintain femininity during labor and birth. There is also evidence that women who give birth outside the medical model may engage in more gender-deviant behaviors. The current study examines women's accounts of gender performances during birth in the midwives model of care. Participants describe themselves engaging in a number of gender-deviant behaviors, without apology or overt remorse. However, participants also describe themselves engaging in activities during labor and birth that are traditionally considered feminine, including domestic tasks, care-giving and adhering to beauty norms; some defined childbirth itself as a feminine activity. Thus, participants are not simply adhering to or defying dominant notions of femininity, but are engaging in a complex set of gender behaviors. It is argued that study participants are prioritizing certain aspects of femininity-in particular, the "good mother"-over others. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Publication Date

12-8-2009

Publication Title

Gender Issues

Volume

26

Issue

3-4

Number of Pages

205-223

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12147-009-9084-x

Socpus ID

79951947623 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/79951947623

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