I have no specific experience of this area, but while looking at the
responses, it occurred to me that in the case of prostitutes (whatever
definition you give this term) it may be useful to look at any literature
that might exist on women who do not fit the stereotypical view of
"pregnancy that occurs within some kind of relationship". I presume that
here you are talking of a potentially fulfilling relationship. I am
particularly thinking of the experience of women who are victims of
domestic abuse or women who are outside a relationship by the time they
identify that they are pregnant. Teenagers, particularly younger teenagers
who are less likely to be in a viable long term relationship, may be
another example of a group that does not correspond to the usual stereotype.
On the other hand, I do believe that it is extremely dangerous to believe
that the women who apparently fulfil the criteria of the "happily married"
or "happy stable relationship" do indeed live the stereotype. Let's not
forget that the divorce rate is about 50%, the separation rate of unmarried
couples is higher still and apparently about 10% of babies born to
"couples" are not fathered by the husband or partner.
God knows how many women are perceived by midwives and other health care
professionals to live the dream, but are living it in reality.
Just a comment, but good luck in investigating this area that seems pretty
interesting.
Marianne
At 10:56 07/01/2004 +0000, you wrote:
>Thanks Chris and Yana.
>To answer your point, I have also looked into the needs of lesbian
>users of maternity services and you might make the same
>argument there (the students certainly do). My interest is in how
>women such as lesbians and prostitutes feel about their 'journey'
>through a maternity structure that still largely views pregnancy as
>something that occurs within some kind of relationship. I know
>that invisibility is an issue identified by lesbian women who are
>accessing maternity care, as well as ignorance about their needs
>and the possible family structures that might be created in these
>situations. Those women who are marginalised in some way may
>be open to judgemental attitudes and criticism that other women
>are not subjected to.
>
>When it comes to prostitution, I don't know if there are problems for
>these women. I don't know if their needs are different. That's really
>what I am hoping to find out.
>Elaine
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