Artigo em revista científica Q2
“To Change the World, We Must First Change the Way the Babies Are Being Born”: Childbirth activism in Europe
Dulce Morgado Neves (Neves, D. M.);
Título Revista
Social Sciences
Ano (publicação definitiva)
2024
Língua
Inglês
País
Suíça
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(Última verificação: 2024-11-07 13:11)

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Abstract/Resumo
(1) Background: “To change the world, we must first change the way the babies are being born”, said Michel Odent, the famous French obstetrician and pioneer of the “natural birth” movement. This quotable phrase has been widespread in activism campaigns, and it refers to a project for social change that goes beyond birth. Conceiving childbirth in the broader social context, it is not surprising that this emblematic quote inspires emancipatory struggles around birth. This paper results from a study of childbirth activism in different European contexts, where the author explores the emergence and modes of action of social movements advocating for the humanization of childbirth and women’s rights in pregnancy and childbirth. (2) Methods: Starting from the analysis of the main characteristics of childbirth activism, in this paper the author briefly analyzes the cases of organizations from Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as a campaign promoted by the European Network of Childbirth Associations (ENCA). The author mobilizes empirical data resulting from a triangulation approach, essentially based on documentary analysis, complemented by conversations and participant observation in different settings. (3) Results: Preliminary results show how childbirth activism is contributing to the construction of alternative conceptions of birth, challenging established paradigms. (4) Conclusion: In its differences and similarities, childbirth activism assumes distinct features, but it also has the ability to adapt and promote changes, depending on the specificities of the contexts where it operates.
Agradecimentos/Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the support of Maria Paula Prates (City, University of London) and Christine McCourt (City, University of London) for their previous review of the manuscript.
Palavras-chave
Childbirth activism,Europe,Campaigns,Women’s rights in pregnancy and childbirth
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Registos de financiamentos
Referência de financiamento Entidade Financiadora
UIDB/03126/2020 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
SFRH/BPD/94537/2013 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia