Journal article
Against Gender Essentialism: Reproductive Justice Doulas and Gender Inclusivity in Pregnancy and Birth Discourse
Women's studies in communication, Vol.46(1), pp.1-22
2023
DOI: 10.1080/07491409.2022.2147616
Abstract
This article explores how reproductive justice (RJ) doulas support trans and nonbinary birthing people, while advancing more inclusive practices within the birth world. We begin by tracing historical changes in mainstream birth and pregnancy care to highlight how biological naturalism and woman-centered discourse became ingrained. Then, we analyze primary data, such as participant observations at doula trainings, interviews with RJ doulas, and training materials for birthworkers, to illuminate how RJ doulas mobilize RJ principles to provide gender-affirming advocacy and inclusive care to pregnant and birthing people of all genders. Key rhetorical strategies include (1) advocacy, (2) radical inclusion, and (3) self-reflexivity. Thus, our study extends existing feminist rhetorical scholarship on gender essentialism in popular pregnancy and childbirth discourse, expands scholarship on obstetric violence and marginalization of nonnormative birthing people, and explores rhetorical possibilities for redress.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Against Gender Essentialism: Reproductive Justice Doulas and Gender Inclusivity in Pregnancy and Birth Discourse
- Creators
- Shui-yin Sharon Yam - University of KentuckyNatalie Fixmer-Oraiz - Department of Communication Studies, University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Women's studies in communication, Vol.46(1), pp.1-22
- DOI
- 10.1080/07491409.2022.2147616
- ISSN
- 0749-1409
- eISSN
- 2152-999X
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/19/2022
- Date published
- 2023
- Academic Unit
- Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies; Communication Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9984353739702771
Metrics
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