Birth as an American Rite of Passage by Robbie E. Davis-Floyd
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Textbook (Paperback - 2nd Edition with new preface)
- 424pp
- Sales Rank: 150,638
Textbook Information
- ISBN-13: 9780520229327
- Edition Description: 2nd Edition with new preface
- Edition Number: 2
- Pub. Date: March 2004
- Publisher: University of California Press
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: March 2004
- Publisher: University of California Press
- Format: Textbook Paperback, 424pp
- Sales Rank: 150,638
- ISBN-13: 9780520229327
- ISBN: 0520229320
- Edition Number: 2
- Edition Description: 2nd Edition with new preface
Synopsis
Hospital birth, as opposed to homebirth, is a particularly American rite of passage and reflects our cultural belief in the superiority of science over nature, machines over bodies, men over women, institutions over individuals.
Library Journal
Davis-Floyd has written a brilliant feminist analysis of childbirth rites of passage in American culture. These rites, she argues, take away women's power over their bodies, naturally designed to bring life into the world, and for no physiological reason give it to the medical system. She believes that society, intimidated by women's ability to give birth, has designed obstetrical rituals that are far more complex than natural childbirth itself in order to deliver what is from nature into culture. ``In this way,'' she writes, ``society symbolically demonstrates ownership of its product.'' This beautiful book, full of insightful interviews with women on a range of birth experiences and with an extensive bibliography, is a wonderful addition to the growing literature on the anthropology of the body and the theoretical debates over mind/body and nature/culture dichotomies. Essential for all anthropology and women's studies collections and medical school libraries and highly recommended for public libraries.-- Patricia Sarles, Mt. Sinai Medical Ctr. Lib., New York
More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
Robbie Davis-Floyd is Senior Research Fellow, Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin and is coeditor of Childbirth and Authoritative Knowledge: Cross-Cultural Perspectives (California, 1997).
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Birth as an American Rite of Passageby Anonymous
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August 23, 2008: I was blessed with being able to read this book since it was in dissertation form. During that time Robbie was 'practicing what she preached' as an educator who was instrumental in bringing family centered birthing practices to our area. She was able to respect and work with the medical doctors as well as the alternate community. In those early years I was able to hear her present at a number of conferences which educated and networked me, moving my work further. Nearly 30 years later, Robbie is a global expert in birthing fields I cannot recommend anyone more highly. Her website, davis-floyd 'dotcom' has many of her full text articles posted.
Birth as an American Rite of Passageby Anonymous
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October 12, 2007: This outstanding book reveals a unique perspective on the cultural and personal impact of imposing technological intervention on the most natural of human processes. Shining a critical light on modern birth presents an opportunity for women to re-think their birth choices and make more empowering choices. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for professionals who work with families, as well as parents.
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