Woman in the Body: A Cultural Analysis of Reproduction

by Emily Martin

Book Overview

A bold reappraisal of science and society, "The Woman in the Body" explores the different ways that women's reproduction is seen in American culture. Contrasting the views of medical science with those of ordinary women from diverse social and economic backgrounds, anthropologist Emily Martin presents unique fieldwork on American culture and uncovers the metaphors of economy and alienation that pervade women's imaging of themselves and their bodies...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807046051
• ISBN13: 9780807046050
• Release Date: May 1989
• Publisher: Beacon Press (MA)
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent book

Being a woman still in the child birthing it really opened my eyes how a male dominant world make a woman feel she has no choices! Emily Martin even goes into the aspects of menopause and a woman's period and why some feel so ashamed by it. It definitely is a must read for Anthropology students!

provocative and worthwhile

Though it may seem a little dated, the issues and questions Martin raises are still relevant today. This thoughtful book speaks to the alienation and detachment many women feel at the hands of modern Western medicine and should be of interest to anyone studying medical anthropology, cultural andthropology, sociology, or women's studies. Some people may have problems with the methodology or feel that the book is pushing a feminist agenda (personally, I thought the chapter on PMS was a little muddy) but most people I know who've read it have found something in it that they can relate to even if they don't agree with Martin 100%.

Very intriguing book

I was very impressed with this book. It covers the anthropological view of reproduction, including historical perspective, menses, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. I recommend it for anyone interested in anthropology, women studies and especially for anyone pregnant.