When Doctors Don't Tie: Hierarchical Medicalization, Reproduction, and Sterilization in Brazil. (12th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edu, Ugo Felicia
• Is Part Of: Medical anthropology quarterly. Volume 32:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 556
• Page End: 573
• Publication Date: 2018-09-12
• Subjects: medicalization -- reproduction -- female sterilization -- Brazil; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Anthropology -- Periodicals; Antropología médica -- Publicaciones periódicas; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Ethnomédecine -- Périodiques; Medische antropologie; Anthropologie médicale; Computer network resources; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 306.461
• DOI: 10.1111/maq.12475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0745-5194

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork among black women, medical personnel, and activists in Brazil, this article highlights the implications of hierarchical medicalization. I show that the prioritization of particular forms of medicalized contraception for women located differentially in society enables different relations, political positions, and mobility. Denial of a tubal ligation in favor of modern reversible contraceptives, in a context of inequitable distribution, can perpetuate social stratification. This work contributes to literature exploring the complexity of medicalization and its relationship with society via reproduction.