Men's experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in Sierra Leone: Reexamining definitions of "male partner involvement".

Social Science & Medicine
Kristen E McLean

Abstract

In recent decades, global health researchers and policy makers have advocated for men's increased involvement in pregnancy and childbirth with the goal of improving maternal health outcomes. By "involvement," these actors generally refer to narrow-largely Western-definitions of participation: accompanying women to antenatal and postpartum care visits, engaging in childbirth education, or being present during delivery. However, such approaches often fail to account for the culturally valid and gendered ways in which men already are involved in supporting women's reproductive health. This study is based on participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and life histories conducted among 106 fathers in eastern Sierra Leone over the course of 2013-2016. Findings demonstrate that in Sierra Leone, where pregnancy and childbirth are considered to belong to the domain of women, men's primary role is to supply the material resources for a safe and healthy birth: a nutritious diet, transportation to healthcare facilities, medicines and supplies in the case of emergency, and the items to wash and dress the baby. While evidence suggests that gender norms are shifting to include other forms of intimate and emotional involvement, it is...Continue Reading

References

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Oct 19, 2011·Journal of Biosocial Science·Aparajita Chattopadhyay
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Citations

May 4, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Marina Alice Sylvia Daniele
Jun 18, 2021·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·Voahirana Tantely AndrianantoandroFeno M Jacob Rakotoarimanana

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