[news] Reproductive Choices and Institutional Racism

[Resist!ca]

By Cora Beitel Women of colour in North America face many barriers with regards to their reproductive choices. Midwifery care, natural childbirth and breastfeeding are three areas where women of colour are underrepresented. To understand this phenomena the history of the medicalization of childbirth and its results must be examined. As well, the effects of institutional racism in the `natural birth' movement need to be studied. The barriers women of colour face in the birthing communities are akin to the struggles they experience within the women's movement.

URL: http://resist.ca/story/2004/12/1/20145/8274