Negotiating Breast-Feeding

Pakistani Women, White Women and their Experiences in Hospital and at Home

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2642401
AutoresAlison Bowes (0000-0001-8594-7348, autor de correspondencia), Teresa Meehan Domokos
Año1998
Volumen3
Número3
Páginas54-69
Fecha de publicación1998-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociological Research Online (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1360-7804 • E-ISSN: 1360-7804
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5153/sro.160
OpenAlexW1979006669
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas24

Breast-feeding is a socially constructed and socially controlled practice, and the social factors which influence it have been much debated. This paper argues that a model of breast-feeding as a socially negotiated project can develop fresh insights into how women breast-feed, through focusing on women's own points of view, and on the role of health professionals. Data from a research study of women from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds are discussed. It is argued that breast-feeding women in hospital are generally subordinate to professionals, but remain active in the negotiation of breast-feeding. At home, health visitor support is especially significant. Breast-feeding appears to be a lonely struggle, and the end of breast-feeding is felt to be stimulated by outside influences. Successful breast-feeding projects are most likely for white, middle class women who have effective stocks of knowledge, and can negotiate concerted action with health professionals. Women belonging to socially excluded groups have greater difficulty in the negotiation process, and their breast-feeding projects are less likely to be successful. Whilst influenced by patterns of constraint, breast-feeding projects also show marked individuality. In conclusion, it is argued that the conceptualisation of breast-feeding as a negotiated project promises to improve sociological understanding, but that further research is needed

Breast feeding · Ethnic group · Negotiation · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Visitor pattern · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Gender Studies · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Pediatrics