The Rhetoric of Midwifery: Gender, Knowledge, and Power - Softcover

Lay, Mary M

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813527791 ISBN 13: 9780813527796

Publisher: Rutgers University Press, 2000

Synopsis

What roles should midwives play within our healthcare system? Must they have certified degrees and be under the jurisdiction of a professional board? Do notions of gender create competition and erect barriers between the medical professions? The Rhetoric of Midwifery offers new insights into understanding these questions within the context of our present-day medical system.

As a point of departure, Mary M. Lay analyzes the public discussion over non-academically trained-or direct-entry-midwives within Minnesota. From 1991-1995, that state held public hearings about the possible licensing of traditional midwives. Lay focuses on these debates to examine the complex relationships of power, knowledge, and gender within the medical profession.

Lay examines the hearings and provides a framework for appreciating the significance of these debates. She also details the history of midwifery, highlighting ongoing concerns that have surfaced ever since the profession was created, centuries ago.

In the remaining chapters, she focuses on the key testimonies offered during the debates. Capturing the actual testimony of midwives, home-birth parents, nurses, physicians, and attorneys, The Rhetoric of Midwifery reveals how the modern medical profession seeks to claim authority about birth. Lay bolsters her argument by culling from such sources such as historical documents, an internet discussion group, and conversations with modern midwives

As our medical healthcare system continues to undergo convulsive change, The Rhetoric of Midwifery will continue to enlighten, challenge, and inform.

About this title

About the Author

Mary Lay is professor of rhetoric at the University of Minnesota, and director of its graduate rhetoric and scientific and technical communication program. She is the author of several books on technical writing and communication, and is the co-editor of Body Talk: Feminist and Rhetorical Studies of Reproductive Sciences.

From the Back Cover

"The Rhetoric of Midwifery" offers new insights into issues of gender and power within the context of our present-day medical system. As a point of departure, Mary M. Lay analyzes the public discussion over non-academically trained- or direct-entry- midwives within Minnesota, particularly the state-held public hearings about licensing traditional midwives, home-birth parents, nurses, physicians, and attorneys to illustrate various points of view. In addition, the author details the history of midwifery to highlight ongoing concerns that have surfaced since the profession's inception.

As our medical healthcare system continues to undergo convulsive change, "The Rhetoric of Midwifery" will enlighten, challenge and inform.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813527791
• ISBN 13: 9780813527796
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256