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Palgrave Macmillan

Reproductive Health and Maternal Sacrifice

Women, Choice and Responsibility

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Pam Lowe

    1. School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
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  2. Introduction

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 1-15

  3. Responsible ‘Choices’ and Good Motherhood

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 17-45

  4. Regulating Contraception and Abortion

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 47-78

  5. Conceiving Motherhood

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 79-107

  6. Idealized Pregnancy

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 109-137

  7. Birth Plans

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 139-166

  8. Raising Babies

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 167-195

  9. Maternal Sacrifice and Choice

    • Pam Lowe
    Pages 197-217

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 219-224
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Keywords

About this book

This book demonstrates that the symbol of maternal sacrifice is the notion that 'proper' women put the welfare of children, whether born, in utero or not conceived, over and above any choices and desires of their own. The idea of maternal sacrifice acts as powerful signifier in judging women's behaviour that goes beyond necessary care for any children. The book traces its presence in various aspects of reproductive health, from contraception to breastfeeding. 


Pam Lowe shows how although nominally choices are presented to women around reproductive health, maternal sacrifice is used to discipline women into conforming to specific norms, reasserting traditional forms of womanhood. This has significant implications for women's autonomy. Women can resist or reject this disciplinary position when making reproductive decisions, but in doing so, they may be positioned as transgressing and/or need to justify their decisions. The book will be of great interest to scholars of sociology, gender studies and health studies.

Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Pam Lowe

About the author

Pam Lowe is Senior Lecturer in the School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University, UK. Her teaching and research are centred around women's reproductive health. Her previous work includes examining experiences of contraception, discourses surrounding foetal alcohol syndrome and the deployment of neuroscience in parenting policies.

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