Date of Completion
Spring 5-8-2011
Thesis Advisor(s)
Pamela Erickson
Honors Major
Anthropology
Disciplines
Anthropology | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Abstract
In the Western ethnomedical tradition, childbirth follows the technocratic model, a concept developed by Davis-Floyd (1992). Within such a system, the woman’s body produces a fetus, much like a machine produces and product, and is delivered unto society by the physician (mechanic) in the proper manner and time. This cultural conception of birth has lead to a society in which maternal and child health has suffered, as many of the practices employed by a physician during a managed labor and delivery are not backed by evidence-based medicine. This thesis argues that reality television shows, specifically A Baby Story enable the continued cultural transmission of the technocratic model to young women. This study examines the conception of childbirth among young women (18-24) as well as the role of reality television in perpetuating the technocratic model.
Recommended Citation
Farber, Michelle Elizabeth, "The Technocratic Birthing Model as Seen in Reality Television and Its Impact on Young Women Age 18-24" (2011). Honors Scholar Theses. 187.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_theses/187