Anglo women's reproduction in nineteenth-century America : three case studies of the Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest /
This dissertation study examines the relationship between the reproductive experiences of nineteenth-century women and their physical environment, ideology, and technology. Specifically, this study examines the research question: How was nineteenth-century Anglo women's reproduction influenced...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=764774751&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | This dissertation study examines the relationship between the reproductive experiences of nineteenth-century women and their physical environment, ideology, and technology. Specifically, this study examines the research question: How was nineteenth-century Anglo women's reproduction influenced by the physical environment, ideology, and technology across three western regions? Three case studies of the nineteenth-century American Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest test three hypotheses: Hypothesis Ones states: Across the Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest regions of nineteenth-century America Anglo women's reproduction was influenced by the physical environment and climate, which hampered access to adequate food and water. Hypothesis Two states: Across the Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest regions of nineteenth-century America Anglo women believed their reproduction was influenced by religious ideology. Hypothesis Three states: Across the Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest regions of nineteenth-century America Anglo women's reproduction was influenced by a preference for modern technologies over traditional ones in this context. I predict I will find considerable support for this hypothesis in the data across all regions studied herein. Census data indicate that White 5-14 year olds and 25-44 year olds were predominant throughout all regions. The ethnographic-historical data support the second hypothesis indicating reliance on faith in God during childbearing. Also, there was a consensus among medically-trained doctors that the availability of modern techniques could greatly increase survival of mother and child only when the physician was properly trained. These sources further indicated considerable support for the second hypothesis particularly among missionary women. Notably, this dissertation study contests one of the central tenets of the Demographic Transition Theory (DTT), which proposes that development and industrial-ization caused the decline in fertility. In contrast, these case studies show that women who lived in rural areas attempted to limit their fertility through various, conscious means. Another tenet of the DTT proposed that fertility would decline in the absence of "religious props." These case studies indicate some support for this argument. Frontier families consciously sought information and technology that would aid them in their attempts to curtail fertility. These attempts at family planning did, in fact, occur on the isolated frontier away from formal church organization and structures. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Anthropology". |
| Physical Description: | xi, 294 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 272-293). |