With Woman: Birth Assistants in Cross-Cultural Context

3 units

This course examines the historical, cultural, and evolutionary development vis-a-vis the role specialization of assistants at birth. Beginning with the discourse in physical anthropological research and theory justifying helpers as necessary in human birth due to the obstetrical dilemma, we explore the development of the various tasks such helpers have taken on. Cross-cultural case histories covering the range and scope of practice of traditional birth attendants, midwives, nurses, physicians, and kin are used to illustrate the wide variety of birth practices and ritual related to assistants at birth. Modes of professionalization are examined, including a discussion of the gendered nature of the position. Finally, sociocultural, political, and economic structural constraints legitimizing some assistants and stigmatizing others are scrutinized in order to promote a critical analysis and understanding of the essential and dynamic roles these health care practitioners play in human reproduction. Prerequisite: Freshman seminar in Medicine and Society (Anthro 141)