The Manner Born Birth Rites in Cross-Cultural Perspective

by Dundes, Lauren; Newton, Niles; Newton, Michael; Trevathan, Wenda R.; McKenna, James J.; (Rutgers University, Sheila Cosminsky; Bates, Brian; Turner, Allison Newman; & Margarita A. Kay, Elaine Jones; Forbes, Thomas R.; Manderson, Lenore; Niehoff, Arthur; M

• ISBN13: 9780759102644
• ISBN10: 0759102643
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-03-25
• Publisher: AltaMira Press

Summary

This essential collection on maternal and child health focuses on the rites of giving birth from a cross-cultural perspective. The distinguished list of contributors describe the many customs surrounding birth through infancy, such as attitudes and techniques in childbirth, the influence of societal factors that differentiate Western from non-Western maternal birthing positions, the art of midwifery, customs and beliefs regarding breastfeeding, weaning, swaddling. This book will be valuable for courses in medical sociology and anthropology, public health or behavioral sciences, psychology and psychiatry, and for pre-med students.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vii
Introduction	p. 1
Editor's Introduction	p. 7
Childbirth in Cross-Cultural Perspective	p. 9
Editor's Introduction	p. 31
Evolutionary Environments of Human Birth and Infancy: Insights to Apply to Contemporary Life	p. 33
Editor's Introduction	p. 53
The Evolution of Maternal Birthing Position	p. 55
Editor's Introduction	p. 65
Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Midwifery	p. 69
Editor's Introduction	p. 85
Imagery and Symbolism in the Birth Practices of Traditional Cultures	p. 87
Editor's Introduction	p. 99
The Cultural Anthropology of the Placenta	p. 101
Editor's Introduction	p. 117
The Social History of the Caul	p. 119
Editor's Introduction	p. 133
Roasting, Smoking, and Dieting in Response to Birth: Malay Confinement in Cross-Cultural Perspective	p. 137
Editor's Introduction	p. 161
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Is Infant-Parent Cosleeping Protective?	p. 163
Editor's Introduction	p. 179
The Cultural Characteristics of Breastfeeding: A Survey	p. 181
Editor's Introduction	p. 191
Culture and the Problem of Weaning	p. 193
Editor's Introduction	p. 209
Child Rearing in Certain European Countries	p. 211
Editor's Introduction	p. 219
Ethnic Differences in Babies	p. 221
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 231
Index	p. 233
About the Editor	p. 239
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