anth from 70s to today?
- Prior to 1970, anthropological data on reproduction is found in ethnographies focusing on other subjects.
- Since then, and in part informed by second-wave feminism, anthropology has investigated how reproduction is shaped by broader social, economic, and political forces and has emphasized how all human reproductive behavior is culturally patterned
what focus emerged? key areas of study?
- . A focus that emerged has been on cross-cultural data on preindustrial societies to address women’s health issues in industrialized societies.
- As well, several key areas of study were identified as the “politics of reproduction” emerged.
a. The medicalization of childbirth in the United States
b. International public health
c. Population growth and poverty
Women and contraception
- As well, several key areas of study were identified as the “politics of reproduction” emerged.
Womens status and maternity?
- In terms of women’s status and maternity, anthropologists have explored pronatalism or the cultural value of promoting childbearing and encouraging people to have children.
what pressures are there to procreate?
- There is a great deal of pressure for women to procreate in agricultural societies where the demand for labor is high.
- In many societies (e.g., the Middle East), a woman attains adult status by childbearing, and her prestige is enhanced by bearing numerous sons (reflecting a patrilineal system).
pronata societies and infertility?
A variety of infertility issues can be a concern for those trying to have children. In pronatal societies such as the United States, infertility issues and personal desires for children have led to consumer demand for surrogate mothers.
surrogacy vs gestational
Medical advances have allowed for the development of gestational (in vitro) surrogacy which is often preferred over traditional (in vivo) surrogacy as in cases where the egg is also donated, there is no biological link between the surrogate mother and the fetus (a potential legal concern with traditional surrogacy). However, with the advent of gestational surrogacy came new understandings of parenthood and specifically the creation of new categories of mothers: biological mothers (those who donate the egg), gestational mothers (those who gestate or carry the fetus), and social mothers (those who raise and nurture the child).
Female genital cutting
A general term referring to excision or removal of part or all of the external female genitalia.
Female infanticide
The direct or indirect killing of an infant due to the female sex of the infant.
Gestational surrogacy
The surrogate gestates the couple’s embryo (in–vitro fertilization). Compare with traditional surrogacy.
Indirect infanticide
Prolonged processes, such as food deprivation or failure to tend to an illness, that brings about the death of an infant.
Maternity
The quality or state of being a mother.
Medicalization
The labeling of a particular problem or issue as medical and in need of medical treatment when the particular problem or issue may be social, economic, or political.
Traditional surrogacy
The surrogate contributes an ovum to the creation of a child (in vivo fertilization). Compare with gestational surrogacy.
