Medicalization of childbirth and birth rate decline
Title | Medicalization of childbirth and birth rate decline |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Inguaggiato M, Ravazzolo G, Tessarolo M |
Journal | Interdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 77-92 |
Date Published | 06/2011 |
Publisher | Padova University Press |
Place Published | Padova, IT |
ISSN Number | 2282-2011 |
Keywords | birth rate decline, medicalization, motherhood, pregnancy |
Abstract | According to the demographist Volpi (2007), the Italian family is undergoing a profound crisis, and it’s statistically approaching what seems to be an announced end. Among the current changes in the “traditional” concept of family, he examined the causes of a clear decline in birth rates, mostly due to a “medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth”. With reference to a previous work by Ravazzolo and Tessarolo (2009), this study intends to verify weather there is an actual relationship between medicalization and feelings of heartlessness in others. We administered a questionnaire to 168 young Italian mothers. Results confirmed findings from previous research by the same authors and in an opposite direction from Volpi’s showing that medicalization offer greater serenity to new mothers. |