introduction: birth

• Published in: Feminist review Vol. 93; no. 93; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Author: Tyler, Imogen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Palgrave Macmillan 01.11.2009; Palgrave Macmillan UK; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Approval; Arendt, Hannah; Birth; Childbirth & labor; Children; Cultural Studies; Discrimination; Feminism; Gender Studies; Males; Motherhood; Mothers; Ownership; Political Science; Politics; Pregnancy; Programming (Broadcast); Social Sciences; Sociology; Television; Videotape Recordings; Women's rights; Women's role; Workplaces
• ISSN: 0141-7789; 0141-7789; 1466-4380
• DOI: 10.1057/fr.2009.29

Looks at the ideas surrounding natality by Hannah Arendt, who had shown that the West is focused on death and ignores birth, not the mere act, but the existential, positive outlook to living. Further and most central, by a woman's ability to have children, she is subject to discrimination in the workplace and other sectors of society, a point that needs to be analyzed more in-depth by feminists. This may be a descendant aspect of the symbolic matricide in western culture which has proffered the birth of humans by male gods. Yet, natal politics may be changing; given the high ownership of video cameras has led to manifold television shows illustrating birth, with mothers in the spotlight. Such televisual approval will undoubtedly lead a change in societal consenus. Further, feminist art has proffered an emerging aesthetic of the mother, while simultaneously, pop culture has highlighted the maternal to an almost colorless parade of pregnant stars on magazines covers and television. Adapted from the source document.