Many of our problems in US maternity care stem from the fact that we leave no room for recognizing when nature is smarter than we are.
Ina May GaskinRead
When we as a society begin to value mothers as the givers and supporters of life, then we will see social change in ways that matter.
Interpretation
Valuing mothers is essential for societal progress.
This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating mothers as fundamental contributors to society. It suggests that by elevating the status of mothers and acknowledging their role in nurturing and supporting life, society can experience significant positive transformations and social advancements.
In practice
In a speech advocating for women's rights, this quote can illustrate the need for societal reform in recognizing mothers.
Many of our problems in US maternity care stem from the fact that we leave no room for recognizing when nature is smarter than we are.
A society that places a low value on its mothers and the process of birth will suffer an array of negative repercussions for doing so. Good beginnings make a positive difference in the world, so it is worth our while to provide the best possible care for mothers and babies throughout this extraordinarily influential part of life.
The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.
Why do we, then, continue to treat women as if their emotions and comfort, and the postures they might want to assume while in labor, are against the rules?
Pregnant _x000D_ and birthing mothers are elemental forces, in the same sense that _x000D_ gravity, thunderstorms, earthquakes, and hurricanes are elemental _x000D_ forces. In order to understand the laws of their energy flow, you have _x000D_ to love and respect them for their magnificence at the same time that _x000D_ you study them with the accuracy of a true scientist.
Simply put, when there is no home birth in a society, or when home birth is driven completely underground, essential knowledge of women’s capacities in birth is lost to the people of that society—to professional caregivers, as well as to the women of childbearing age themselves.
We’ve learned that it will take more than one generation to bring about change. The fight for civil rights has developed into a broader concern for human rights, and that encompasses a great many people and countries. Those of us who live in a democracy have a responsibility to be the voice for those whose voices are stilled.
Quitting, for me, means not giving up, but moving on; changing direction not because something doesn’t agree with you, but because you don’t agree with something. It’s not a complaint, in other words, but a positive choice, and not a stop in one’s journey, but a step in a better direction. Quitting-whether a job or a habit-means taking a turn so as to be sure you’re still moving in the direction of your dreams.
Carrying the past in to the present, we program the future to continue the past. Letting go the past in the present, we free the future to be something else.
My theory is this: Rather than having commentaries from the cheap seats, get involved and see what you can do. What can you do around your own community, within your own family, to try to improve race relations in our country? I think this is a responsibility that we all have as citizens.
We'll organize workers in this movement as long as we're willing to sacrifice. The moment we stop sacrificing, we stop organizing.
Ultimately, change will happen when problems persist and enough people are concerned.
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