Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

(En)Gendering the word ‘midwife’: semantics, etymology and orientations

Pendleton, J. (2021) (En)Gendering the word ‘midwife’: semantics, etymology and orientations. Journal of Gender Studies. , pp. 1-13. 0958-9236.

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Pendleton_John_JGS_2021_EnGendering_the_word_midwife_semantics_etymology_and_orientations
Pendleton_John_JGS_2021_EnGendering_the_word_midwife_semantics_etymology_and_orientations.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
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Pendleton_John_JGS_2021_EnGendering_the_word_midwife_semantics_etymology_and_orientations_Final.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.
Information
Abstract:
This discussion paper takes as its starting point the marginal existence of men in the seemingly mono-gendered arena of childbearing, both as midwives and as service users. It seeks to explore how their problematic presence can be both accommodated and rejected within the limits of existing language which manifests itself most rigidly in the word ‘midwife’. I argue that ‘midwife’ has multiple meanings which are mobilized in different situations to call upon either a seemingly stable etymological understanding or a more fluid and adaptable semantic meaning. I engage in the heuristic device of ‘orientations’ inspired by the work of Sara Ahmed to illuminate how these multiple meanings serve to exclude people who do not identify as female. Lastly, I illustrate how a recent focus on gender-neutral and additive language to accommodate men into a historically exclusively female discourses has further exposed the limitations of the gendered word ‘midwife’ to be able to include people of all genders and none.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Social Sciences (miscellaneous), Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), Gender Studies
Creators:
Pendleton, J.
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
?? HSHEP ??
Date:
2 July 2021
Date Type:
Acceptance
Page Range:
pp. 1-13
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Gender Studies
Number of Pages:
13
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1080/09589236.2021.1952406
ISSN:
0958-9236
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
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