Social Class, Social Selves and Social Control in Childbirth

This paper analyses the birthing narratives of 50 Australian women to explore their representations of their birthing experiences. Through the analysis, issues of power, identity and control in childbirth are explored, particularly with respect to the major discursive categories framing childbirth. The birthing narratives of the women in this study revealed significant differences in orientation to first birth according to women's social class, but also revealed significant shifts in identity and empowerment with subsequent births. These findings differ significantly from existing accounts of power relations in childbirth, which have tended either to universalise women, or, in more recent post-structuralist accounts, to abandon the notion of socially structured differences between women altogether. The findings of this research indicate that social class has a strong effect in the shaping of identity, but that these differences can be transcended by the experience of childbirth itself, which is a critical reflexive moment in many women's lives.     

Social Policy Considerations in Perinatal Social Work

SUMMARY

Infant mortality has been a major problem in the United States for many years. Despite recent improvements, it continues to be a major social and economic problem. This is particularly true in non-white populations, where the infant mortality rate is significantly higher. This article discusses some of the reasons for the continued high rate of infant mortality, with particular attention to barriers which, if removed, might improve the health of newborn infants. How social workers can use this information in advocacy efforts is then explored in an effort to involve social workers more directly in this pressing national problem.     

社会资本与社会医学新发展观

社会资本是近年来广泛应用于政治、经济、社会发展领域的理论,其核心是基于信任的互惠合作网络的建立和对公共事务的自愿参与,以及由此派生出的共同的价值观、行为规范等.将社会资本理论引入社会医学学科,并与社会医学的热点研究领域如社会因素与健康、社区卫生服务发展、新型农村合作医疗筹资、社区开发策略等有机结合,从而为社会医学学科的发展开拓新的思路、注入新的活力.     

社会资本与社会医学新发展观

社会资本是近年来广泛应用于政治、经济、社会发展领域的理论,其核心是基于信任的互惠合作网络的建立和对公共事务的自愿参与,以及由此派生出的共同的价值观、行为规范等。将社会资本理论引入社会医学学科,并与社会医学的热点研究领域如社会因素与健康、社区卫生服务发展、新型农村合作医疗筹资、社区开发策略等有机结合,从而为社会医学学科的发展开拓新的思路、注入新的活力。     

Social paediatrics

Social paediatrics is an approach to child health that focuses on the child, in illness and in health, within the context of their society, environment, school, and family. The glossary clarifies the range of terms used to describe aspects of paediatric practice that overlap or are subsumed under social paediatrics and defines key social paediatric concepts. The glossary was compiled by a process of consultation and consensus building among the authors who are all members of the European Society for Social Paediatrics. Social paediatricians from outside Europe were included giving a more international perspective.     

Social capital

This glossary aims to provide readers with some of the key terms that are relevant to a consideration of the relevance of social capital for health, and to introduce some of the debates on the concepts.