History of Midwives 1800-1950: Social, Cultural and Economic Aspects of the Professionalization of Childbirth
Venue: Dačický House, Kutná Hora, Komensky Square No. 41
Organizer: Department of History, University of Pardubice
Date: 1.11.-2.11.2018
Deadline for conference proposals: 30.8.2018
The phenomenon of midwifery has been studied in the past decades often as a part of the process of modernization of society. Within this paradigm, the history of obstetrics was characterized as a permanent development of scientific knowledge, professionalization of the performance of childbirth assistance and masculinization of the obstetric profession.
In hosting this conference, the organizers primary objective is to stimulate a discussion about changing position of the midwifery and female midwives in the modern era not only as a profession but as a social and cultural phenomenon.
Following fields of research are suggested:
1) Economic aspects of the midwifery
Was a profession of midwifery for practicing midwives really an independent occupation in terms of the economic and social independence or should we see childbirth assistance only as a part-time job opportunity for lower classes? To what extent were… read more