Bøger i Fertility, Reproduction and Sexuality: Social and Cultural Perspectives serien

The author examines the cultural and social context of breast feeding among the African Gogo women of the Cigongwe's village in Tanzania.

Babies are not simply born-they are made through cultural and social practices. Based on rich empirical work, this book examines the everyday experiences that mark pregnancy in the US today, such as reading pregnancy advice books, showing ultrasound "e;baby pictures"e; to friends and co-workers, and decorating the nursery in anticipation of the new arrival. These ordinary practices of pregnancy, the author argues, are significant and revealing creative activities that produce babies. They are the activities through which babies are made important and meaningful in the lives of the women and men awaiting the child's birth. This book brings into focus a topic that has been overlooked in the scholarship on reproduction and will be of interest to professionals and expectant parents alike.

Reproductive disruptions, such as infertility, adoption, and childhood disability, are among distressing experiences in people's lives. Based on research by medical anthropologists, this book examines such issues as local practices detrimental to safe pregnancy and birth; conflicting reproductive goals between women and men; and more.