Why read Birth as an American Rite of Passage?

Book cover of Birth as an American Rite of Passage

Book description

This classic book, first published in 1992 and again in 2003, has inspired three generations of childbearing people, birth activists and researchers, and birth practitioners-midwives, doulas, nurses, and obstetricians-to take a fresh look at the "standard procedures" that are routinely used to "manage" American childbirth. It was the first book…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Birth as an American Rite of Passage as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ann W. Duncan

Author

This book is a classic and essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of thinking and practicing of childbirth in the United States.

More than that, it makes a compelling argument that birth should be seen as an American rite of passage. Through a history of the development of current norms and rituals of childbirth as a medicalized procedure and comparison of that paradigm to more holistic treatments of pregnancy and birth, Davis-Floyd opens the door to thoughtful and sustained attention to the support and options we provide birthing people moving forward.

From Ann's list on exploring the spirituality of pregnancy and birth.