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A Passion for Birth: My Life - Anthropology, Family and Feminism
Sheila Kitzinger, passionate campaigner for women's and babies' rights, childbirth educator and author, describes the experiences that have shaped her since childhood and the enormous changes that have taken place over the last 50 years on the subject of birth.
Her work as a social anthropologist has taken her round the globe and the knowledge, wisdom and engaging warmth of her books continues to be revelatory and indispensable for thousands of women.
This is a rich cross-cultural adventure, a fascinating insight into her world of babies, birth, women, social justice and challenging powerful institutions, a lifetime of dedication to positive social change.
Her work as a social anthropologist has taken her round the globe and the knowledge, wisdom and engaging warmth of her books continues to be revelatory and indispensable for thousands of women.
This is a rich cross-cultural adventure, a fascinating insight into her world of babies, birth, women, social justice and challenging powerful institutions, a lifetime of dedication to positive social change.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2015
About the author
Sheila Kitzinger
126 books33 followersSheila Kitzinger M.B.E, M.Litt is a social anthropologist of birth and author of 24 books published internationally, most on the emotional journey through this major life experience. At Oxford in the 50s she discovered that the social anthropology of that time was almost entirely about men. She decided she would do research to discover what was important in women's lives, and focused on pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
Her five children were all born at home. She lectures widely in different countries and has learned from mothers and midwives in the USA and Canada, the Caribbean, Eastern and Western Europe, Israel, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, South Africa and Japan, and from women in prison and those who have had a traumatic birth experience.
Her five children were all born at home. She lectures widely in different countries and has learned from mothers and midwives in the USA and Canada, the Caribbean, Eastern and Western Europe, Israel, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, South Africa and Japan, and from women in prison and those who have had a traumatic birth experience.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 30, 2016
I was shocked recently when some well-read mothers did not know who Sheila Kitzinger was. So perhaps 'for Birth' is not as superfluous as I came to feel as I read her autobiography which revealed her passion for everything, not just the important work in improving the birth experience for women for which I thought she was famous, at least in birth circles. Perhaps the very fact that younger women had no idea who she was is a testament to what she has achieved and what they can, fortunately, take for granted.
I was though a little wary. Reading an autobiography is a little like meeting your heroes, and the timing of this book's publication meant it could easily have felt thrown together. It was certainly an eerie experience reading such a lively, current, book which includes a photograph of the author's coffin, quite possibly with her inside it given the date in the caption.
I have no doubt that she had plenty more to say, in a sense the book *was* thrown together but in the way that some of the best autobiographies are, not tied to a plodding timeline. I did not expect recipes! I did once meet Sheila, at her home, for one of her Birth Crisis workshops, and it is remarkable reflecting on the way that experience mirrored so much of this book - the obvious importance of art and creativity, her eclectic taste, her academic interests, her pride, joy and involvement in her own family... and her love of good food cooked by others and of cooking herself.
It was fascinating to read about her childhood in Taunton. It turns out that it was her mother who was the midwife, and she grew up in a very socially engaged family... one which might have had the potential to make her feel as though her needs didn't matter very much as an individual, but she appears to have been very secure in the love of her family and embraced the values by which she was surrounded as a child. She also appears to have had a remarkable resilience and ability to take more than her fair share of difficult, sad experiences in her stride.
Other things are hinted at... she recounts a dispiriting experience of a conventional academic job, frustrated by the obligation to reach internal consensus on everything yet being discouraged from making the connections outside the institution she found relevant. There is a suggestion her marriage was sustained by the spice of regular separations and not feeling obliged to enter any further into her husband's world than suited her (there's a lovely painting of him naked in the bath though). It is also implicit that being comfortably off was a help in achieving all she did, although I note that her cleaner comes high up in her list of thanks. I suspect she was hard to say "No" to, even when you didn't share her tremendous energy and enthusiasm, but inspired loyalty. One of the most moving parts of her story is her account of being given the news of impending grandmotherhood, with her daughter concerned that a choice to become a mother might be seen as less worthwhile than the academic career pursued by several of her siblings: "I felt rather ashamed about that" Instead of hand wringing though, she goes on to consider why her daughter might have reached that conclusion.
A force of nature who allowed so many women to experience the force of nature in a positive way for themselves.
I was though a little wary. Reading an autobiography is a little like meeting your heroes, and the timing of this book's publication meant it could easily have felt thrown together. It was certainly an eerie experience reading such a lively, current, book which includes a photograph of the author's coffin, quite possibly with her inside it given the date in the caption.
I have no doubt that she had plenty more to say, in a sense the book *was* thrown together but in the way that some of the best autobiographies are, not tied to a plodding timeline. I did not expect recipes! I did once meet Sheila, at her home, for one of her Birth Crisis workshops, and it is remarkable reflecting on the way that experience mirrored so much of this book - the obvious importance of art and creativity, her eclectic taste, her academic interests, her pride, joy and involvement in her own family... and her love of good food cooked by others and of cooking herself.
It was fascinating to read about her childhood in Taunton. It turns out that it was her mother who was the midwife, and she grew up in a very socially engaged family... one which might have had the potential to make her feel as though her needs didn't matter very much as an individual, but she appears to have been very secure in the love of her family and embraced the values by which she was surrounded as a child. She also appears to have had a remarkable resilience and ability to take more than her fair share of difficult, sad experiences in her stride.
Other things are hinted at... she recounts a dispiriting experience of a conventional academic job, frustrated by the obligation to reach internal consensus on everything yet being discouraged from making the connections outside the institution she found relevant. There is a suggestion her marriage was sustained by the spice of regular separations and not feeling obliged to enter any further into her husband's world than suited her (there's a lovely painting of him naked in the bath though). It is also implicit that being comfortably off was a help in achieving all she did, although I note that her cleaner comes high up in her list of thanks. I suspect she was hard to say "No" to, even when you didn't share her tremendous energy and enthusiasm, but inspired loyalty. One of the most moving parts of her story is her account of being given the news of impending grandmotherhood, with her daughter concerned that a choice to become a mother might be seen as less worthwhile than the academic career pursued by several of her siblings: "I felt rather ashamed about that" Instead of hand wringing though, she goes on to consider why her daughter might have reached that conclusion.
A force of nature who allowed so many women to experience the force of nature in a positive way for themselves.
September 12, 2020
Too bitty for me. Also for a book with my life in the title you learnt remarkably little about her life. Her husband lost an eye at some point, learnt from photos, and this is never mentioned in the writing. Some of the birth stuff was interesting which is why the book didn’t get two stars but even this was very disjointed.
August 3, 2019
What a remarkable trail-blazer Sheila was. A true champion of women.
February 8, 2017
OMG I love you Sheila
July 19, 2015
For anyone having children in the 70's, Sheila Kitzinger was a champion. Her radical ideas struck a chord with women wanting more choice and flexibility in their pregnancy and birth experiences, and also gave us the courage to ask for more understanding from the medical profession. Hard to imagine in this day and age when choice is much more readily available and welcomed.
So, reading about Sheila's extremely interesting and colourful life was fascinating. She was a non-stop dynamo. Not only did she have five children as well as her very full and rich career, she also wrote, and involved herself in the lives of women all over the world.
A great read.
So, reading about Sheila's extremely interesting and colourful life was fascinating. She was a non-stop dynamo. Not only did she have five children as well as her very full and rich career, she also wrote, and involved herself in the lives of women all over the world.
A great read.
January 5, 2016
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in birth, feminism and culture. Sheila Kitzinger was a rare person, and she seemed to have the ability to think differently from the norm, yet retain a deep empathy and ability to connect with people. Her book was cosy and inviting, as well as a whistle-stop of the many places she lectured and shared knowledge. It's a stunning book and I am already planning to re-read it.
August 7, 2015
Started reading a sample on Kindle on 22 June 2015. Always been fascinated by this lady since I was first pregnant in 1980. Had 4 healthy babies by natural childbirth following her advice and strategems. I think I will need to buy the book version as it is illustrated.
August 2, 2015
Loved it. Compelling, inspirational, funny, straightforward, assertive, honest, and dedicated.
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November 16, 2015Biog K627k 2015
April 19, 2017
Very interesting. If I had a criticism it is that it is a bit scrappy, a bit of a brain-dump.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews