The Manner Born: Birth Rites in Cross-cultural Perspective - Softcover

Lauren Dundes

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0759102651 ISBN 13: 9780759102651

Publisher: AltaMira Press, 2003

Synopsis

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, highlighting a wide range of variation in practices across cultures. They discuss attitudes and techniques in childbirth, the interaction between human evolutionary form and birthing procedures, the influence of societal factors that differentiate Western from non-Western maternal birthing positions, and the art of midwifery. Also treated are less well-known areas of birthing such as the imagery of birthing, placenta rituals, and popular beliefs about the amniotic membrane called a caul. In addition, the authors explore the humoral medical tradition used in birthing, the possible influence of cultural practices on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), customs and beliefs regarding breastfeeding, weaning, swaddling, and finally a sociobiological perspective on early infant behavior. 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.

About this title

About the Author

Lauren Dundes is associate professor of sociology at McDaniel College. She teaches sociology, criminology and criminal justice, and medical sociology.

Edition details

• Publisher: AltaMira Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0759102651
• ISBN 13: 9780759102651
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Dundes Lauren