The article "Exorcising the Midwives" explains that in the past, midwives were used by mothers of a low social standing. "It was the 'lower' half of society which clung to the midwife and her services: the rural poor and the immigrant working class in the cities" (Ehrenreich and English). Having a midwife showed that one did not have enough money to pay a doctor when he or she was needed. The midwife, along with the poor, were considered "dirty." That is why midwifery was continued to be looked down upon by the upper and middle class.
Until now, that is. In 2012, midwifery is a symbol of high social standing. I found an article from the New York Times online titled "Midwife Becomes a Status Symbol." Midwifery has always been a symbol for some social ranking, but the tables have definitely turned. The article explains how three wealthy women chose to be assisted through their pregnancies by midwives. It says that midwives are becoming "trendy." The founder of Midwifery of Manhattan claims that they have to turn a lot of women down who want to have midwives. Midwives spend so much time caring for a mother and her baby, that they become limited. Midwives are now medically trained and licensed, and becoming more trusted by mothers.
It is crazy to me how people's perceptions of concepts like midwifery can change so drastically. If you think about it, it's pretty hypocritical, but also interesting and exciting that midwives are finally getting a chance to strive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/fashion/the-midwife-becomes-a-status-symbol-for-the-hip.html
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