Men on Stage! Social representations and counter-representations around the presence of men at childbirth in a ‘high-tech birth culture’

Abstract

This paper addresses a sociological gaze on social representations and counter-representations around the presence of men at birth in contemporary society. Almost invisible in traditional society's childbirth, they now engage in new practices thus reshaping old social representations. In the broader context of place men occupy in nowadays society, it is relevant to ask: how do men and women conceive and perceive men’s presence (and absence) at childbirth? What importance does it has and what meaning is it ascribed to? What role does technology plays in those representations and practices? Theoretically, we draw upon the description of the birth of a child as a family ritual (Wolin & Bennett, 1984), today crossed by a ‘high-tech birth culture’ (Kitzinger, 2006). Methodologically, we rely on a qualitative sociological inquiry based on episodic interviews (Flick, 1997). Accounts were provided by both middle-class men and women recruited from a convenience and snow ball sample, and data were then analyzed through content analysis using NVivo software. Empirical findings and discussion suggest that behind descriptions of an ‘unforgettable,’ ‘important’ and ‘special’ day, one must conclude on a plurality of meanings associated with the presence of men at birth. Additionally, both inclusive/exclusive roles of technology as far as men participation and presence at birth are reported. Though it allows for a greater engagement during pregnancy and childbirth, technology constitutes the last frontier yet to overcome, once surgery (e.g. caesarean) is pointed as the main reason for men not to attend the birth, when their will was ‘to be there’. By bringing these issues into discussion, we aim to prosecute original and fruitful contribution to study social representations in changing societies, as well as to enhance the interdisciplinary debate, both at the theoretical and methodological levels, on such a psycho-social phenomena as contemporary childbirth.