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Motherhood in Mexico is profoundly shaped by the legacy of colonialism. This ethnography situates motherhood in a critical global health analysis of maternal health inequalities and interventions in the southeast state of Chiapas. Using a transitional life course framework, it demonstrates how the transition to motherhood is never complete. Once a good mother is defined, she becomes undefined, the goal posts moved, and the rules confronted.
“Working from the belief that research is meant not only to inform but also to promote appropriate activism, the author endeavors to work against the ‘coloniality of knowledge’ and the ‘violent dominance of white privilege’ anthropology…Highly Recommended.” •Choice
“I truly think this is an outstanding book! I love its design – the way it flows from context to women’s stories to analysis in each chapter. Its theoretical contributions are multiple, and it is very easy to read, and absolutely fascinating in many places.” • Robbie Davis-Floyd, University of Texas
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Part I: Contexts
Chapter 1. La Orilla: Coletas ad Coloniality
Part II: Childbearing Politics
Chapter 2. Bety and Rosa
Chapter 3. Bridging the Gap: Barrio Midwives
Chapter 4. Cris, Sofi and Esme: The Birth Centre
Part III: Nurture Work
Chapter 5. Lupita and Carlita
Chapter 6. Sara, Bania and Lila: Good Enough Mothers
Conclusion: Translating a Local-Global Maternal Health
Appendix: On Doing Fieldwork with Children
References
Index