Abstract
Childbirth is often identified as a pivotal moment in a woman’s life, yet it is not a standard and predictable event since each birth is unique. This is undoubtedly true at the micro, personal level but, as Jordan (1978) and more recently DeVries et al. (2001) have argued, the construction of childbirth is influenced by both cultural and political factors. This gives rise to the question that if it is the most important learning experience for many women, what is being ‘learnt’ and what boundaries, if any, contain what can be learnt? As Belenky et al. (1986:35) argue:
In response to our question, ‘what was the most important learning experience you have ever had?’ many mothers selected childbirth. It is as if this act of creation ushers in a whole new view of one’s creative capacities.
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© 2003 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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Purkis, J. (2003). The Quintessential Female Act? Learning about Birth. In: Earle, S., Letherby, G. (eds) Gender, Identity & Reproduction. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230522930_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230522930_7
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