dc.contributor.advisor |
Littleton, J |
en |
dc.contributor.advisor |
Floyd, B |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Anderson, Caitlin |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2015-07-23T20:44:47Z |
en |
dc.date.issued |
2015 |
en |
dc.identifier.citation |
2015 |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2292/26392 |
en |
dc.description |
Full text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
en |
dc.description.abstract |
This thesis explores the infant feeding decisions “white middle class” mothers are making and how they negotiate any influencing factors. New Zealand has a strong history of institutional engagement with both motherhood and infant feeding. This local history, combined with global influences, creates a unique environment for mothers today. In particular there is a strong emphasis on “breast is best” and on promoting breastfeeding through anti-formula messages and cultural expectations. This has resulted in infant feeding becoming dichotomised and breastfeeding ‘failures’ being attributed to a lack of knowledge, support and/or economics. Using a focus group and semi-structured interviews (a total of 29 participants), I show not only why women choose the infant feeding practice they do, but elucidate some of the key factors that impact their decision making. I also explore the role of medicalisation in infant feeding, how much of an influence cultural messages have, and also the role of support. In exploring how educated women with access to resources negotiated the web of influences, I hoped to understand the potential broader implications for women in New Zealand. The women I interviewed were breastfeeding exclusively and largely unquestioningly. They saw breastfeeding as a significant part of “good motherhood”, and were committed to breastfeeding regardless of issues that arose. There was an understanding of infant feeding, and of motherhood, as work. Women did not perceive themselves as making a choice; the internalisation of the breast is best message resulted in breastfeeding being the unquestioned “right thing”. Infant feeding practices were conceptualised as a single either/or choice, rather than a process requiring renegotiation. Women position themselves in the centre of an assumed environment, which is shaped by cultural and health messages. These messages were unconsciously absorbed, and women utilise self-surveillance to create their identity as “good mothers” and align with the expectations of Intensive and Neoliberal Motherhood. By elucidating the practices of the women seen as the “norm”, this thesis argues for an acceptance of flexibility in infant feeding practices and recommendations. Keywords: infant feeding; motherhood; decision making, mother infant dyad, New Zealand; medicalisation; surveillance; biocommunicability. |
en |
dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
en |
dc.relation.ispartof |
Masters Thesis - University of Auckland |
en |
dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA99264807711002091 |
en |
dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
en |
dc.rights |
Restricted Item. Available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland. |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
en |
dc.title |
Exploring Infant Feeding Variation and Decision Making: Rights, Wrongs and No Win Scenarios |
en |
dc.type |
Thesis |
en |
thesis.degree.discipline |
Anthropology |
en |
thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
en |
thesis.degree.level |
Masters |
en |
dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The Author |
en |
pubs.elements-id |
492111 |
en |
pubs.org-id |
Arts |
en |
pubs.org-id |
Arts Admin |
en |
pubs.org-id |
Student and Academic Services |
en |
pubs.record-created-at-source-date |
2015-07-24 |
en |
dc.identifier.wikidata |
Q112907992 |
|