| Description |
vi, 239 pages ; 24 cm |
|
regular print |
| Contents |
1. Childbirth in cross-cultural perspective / Niles Newton and Michael Newton -- 2. Evolutionary environments of human birth and infancy: insights to apply to contemporary life / Wenda R. Trevathan and James J. McKenna -- 3. The evolution of maternal birthing position / Lauren Dundes -- 4. Cross-cultural perspectives on midwifery / Sheila Cosminsky -- 5. Imagery and symbolism in the birth practices of traditional cultures / Brian Bates and Allison Newman Turner -- 6. The cultural anthropology of the placenta / Elaine Jones and Margarita A. Kay -- 7. The social history of the Caul / Thomas R. Forbes --8. Roasting, smoking, and dieting in response to birth: Malay confinement in cross-cultural perspective / Lenore Manderson -- 9. Sudden Infant Death Syndrom in cross-cultural perspective: is infant-parent cosleeping protective? / James J. McKenna -- 10. The cultural characteristics of breastfeeding: a survey / Arthur Niehoff and Natalie Meister -- 11. Culture and the problem of weaning / Cecil Slome --12. Child rearing in certain European countries / Ruth Benedict -- 13. Ethnic differences in babies / Daniel G. Freedman.6 |
| 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 describes 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." -- BOOK JACKET.- 13. Ethnic dif rences in babi |
| Notes |
Formerly CIP. Uk |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Birth customs -- Cross-cultural studies.
|
|
Childbirth -- Cross-cultural studies.
|
| Author |
Dundes, Lauren, 1962-
|
| LC no. |
2002013882 |
| ISBN |
0759102643 cloth alkaline paper |
|
0759102651 paperback alkaline paper |
|
