Abstract

GARCIA JORDA, Dailys  and  DIAZ BERNAL, Zoe. Anthropological and gender perspective in the analysis of care provided to pregnancy, delivery and puerperium. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2010, vol.36, n.4, pp. 330-336. ISSN 1561-3127.

A theoretical analysis of the care of pregnancy, delivery and puerperium, from an anthropological perspective and using the category "gender", was made in this paper in order to show the way in which historical differences and inequalities between men and women are organized and sustained through the care of these processes. Relevant elements of this analysis were the transition of the process of care from the private setting -with the almost exclusive involvement of women- to the public setting where men are included; the medicalization of these processes and the role of technology. All these aspects imply lack of prominent role and low authoritative level on the part of women and their families with respect to childbirth. The various ways of assuming maternity by women and men should be analyzed from the anthropological perspective in the context of the present Cuban society. This analysis may contribute, through the pattern of care to the reproduction process, to lay the foundations for responsible motherhood and fatherhood and greater involvement of women and their families in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the care to these processes.

Keywords : Human reproduction; gender and pregnancy; delivery and puerperium; Reproduction Anthropology; Medical Anthropology; motherhood; fatherhood.

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