Misconceptions : truth, lies, and the unexpected on the journey to motherhood / Naomi Wolf.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wolf, Naomi

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pregnancy--Psychological aspects.

Pregnancy.

Motherhood--Psychological aspects.

Motherhood.

Motherhood--Social aspects.

Childbirth--Psychological aspects.

Childbirth.

First pregnancy.

Physical Description:

326 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Doubleday, 2001.

Summary:

Not since The Beauty Myth has Naomi Wolf written such a powerful and passionate critique of American culture -- this time focusing on the hidden costs and vested interests surrounding pregnancy and birth in America. While in the grip of one of the most primal, lonely, sensual, and, in some ways, physically dangerous experiences they are likely to under-go, American women, Wolf argues, are offered condescending advice and damaging misconceptions about the nature of pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood.

Wolf's own first experience with pregnancy and motherhood took her aback, profoundly challenging her most basic assumptions about feminism, the nuances of abortion, and the easy expectations of freedom and equality that women of her generation hold. In a narrative that follows the nine months of pregnancy and the first few months of early parenthood, Misconceptions illuminates the conflicting feelings of inadequacy, fragility, and even anger that so many women experience along with their sense of anticipation and joy. So often these feelings go unvoiced because of women's fears of being seen as a "bad" mother. Wolf describes her own difficult path to first-time motherhood, and in doing so, critizies the failure of the medical establishment to provide pregnant women with a safe, effective, and emotionally supportive environment in which to labor. She shares riveting stories of postpartum disillusionment, as well as discloses the relationship struggles that even the most committed of couples fall into when faced with the demands of new parenthood.

In a dramatic interweaving of personal revelations and social commentary, Wolf shows that despite their much-touted reverence for families American businesses and society make few concessions to the emotional and economic needs of new parents and, in fact, place extraordinary pressures on them. Her conclusions, delivered with unflinching honesty, provide a telling and candid account of the journey to motherhood in America today. Misconceptions is sure to spark intense debate over the myths and expectations that underlie contemporary pregnancy and birth, as well as about how we can better offer mothers what they truly need.

Contents:

Part I Pregnancy

Month 1 Discovery 13

Month 2 Experts 23

Month 3 Baby Values 27

Month 4 Losses 59

Month 5 Mortality 73

Month 6 Birth Class and Hospital Tour 85

Month 7 Mysteries 101

Month 8 Powerlessness 115

Month 9 Waiting 125

Part II Brith

Giving Birth 135

Behind the Birthing Room 145

Part III New Life

Joy and "Blues" 207

Calling It Fair 225

Making Mothers 265

A Mother's Manifesto 283.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [309]-313) and index.

ISBN:

0385493029

OCLC:

46785027