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Centre for Midwifery, Maternal & Perinatal Health, School of Health & Social Care, Bournemouth University Open Research Seminar 'Women in African villages do it': Some paradoxes of 'natural' breastfeeding Charlotte Faircloth PhD student in Social Anthropology University of Cambridge Wednesday 5th March, 2008 12-12.50, Room RLH 201, Bournemouth University You are cordially invited to the above lunch time seminar which is one of a regular series (1st Wednesday of the month) of research seminars open to all. Please feel free to bring your lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Abstract Based on research in London and Paris with mothers from local La Leche League groups (the foremost international breastfeeding support organisation) this paper explores the narratives of particular women who choose to breastfeed 'to full term' (also known as 'extended breastfeeding'). Where full term breastfeeding goes against social convention, yet occurs in a climate of 'intensive motherhood' (Hays, 1996) the paper pays close attention to the strategies of rationalisation employed by these alternative mothers, and the identity work they undertake. Recourse to 'natural' styles of care (in both the animal kingdom and amongst 'primitive peoples') is problematised by an anthropological exploration of local ideas of 'nature' and 'culture'. Biography Charlotte Faircloth is a PhD student in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. She has worked as an author and consultant for UNICEF, the NCT and Save the Children. She is also a member of the IOI Parents' Forum [log in to unmask] Apologies for cross posting. I hope that you can make it Kath Dr Kath Ryan Reader in Maternal & Perinatal Research School of Health and Social Care (HSC) Formerly Institute of Health & Community Studies Royal London House Christchurch Road Bournemouth University BH1 3LT UK Phone: +44 (0)1202 962182 Fax +44 (0) 1202 962194 Mobile 07738 140436