Main Argument and Thesis
The main point of the article is that the environment and social structure of a society can influence the attention –- or lack there of—n given to children and that motherly love might not be a universal concept.
Supporting Evidence
The author, Nancy Scheper-Hughes, supports the main idea through providing details of her experience as a participant observer and through sharing what she learned during her time in the Alto do Cruzeiro. Rather than just speaking about her the attitude toward children in the region, Scheper-Hughes talks about more specific implications and applications. For example, Scheper-Hughes initially acknowledges that maternal instinct is not necessarily a concept in the Alto do Cruzeiro. She further develops this topic by sharing examples of how women have lost their babies, building up the concept of child death in the region. She recalls situations in which mothers do not shed a tear and in which babies are left to die. Scheper-Hughes uses facts to support her claims of frequent child death, such as the average pregnancies, still-births, and child deaths per woman.
Brief Summary …show more content…
She begins the article by giving background information about the lack of resources low life expectancy in the region, setting the stage for her to later share her observations. Scheper-Hughes then introduces the culture behind newborn babies, which she supports through recounting specific encounters during her fieldwork. After introducing the culture, Scheper-Hughes gives a greater insight into how the politics and government negatively impact the attitude toward childbirth. The article concludes with Scheper-Hughes reflecting on her experience and explaining some of the positive changes that have occurred in the
The main point of the article is that the environment and social structure of a society can influence the attention –- or lack there of—n given to children and that motherly love might not be a universal concept.
Supporting Evidence
The author, Nancy Scheper-Hughes, supports the main idea through providing details of her experience as a participant observer and through sharing what she learned during her time in the Alto do Cruzeiro. Rather than just speaking about her the attitude toward children in the region, Scheper-Hughes talks about more specific implications and applications. For example, Scheper-Hughes initially acknowledges that maternal instinct is not necessarily a concept in the Alto do Cruzeiro. She further develops this topic by sharing examples of how women have lost their babies, building up the concept of child death in the region. She recalls situations in which mothers do not shed a tear and in which babies are left to die. Scheper-Hughes uses facts to support her claims of frequent child death, such as the average pregnancies, still-births, and child deaths per woman.
Brief Summary …show more content…
She begins the article by giving background information about the lack of resources low life expectancy in the region, setting the stage for her to later share her observations. Scheper-Hughes then introduces the culture behind newborn babies, which she supports through recounting specific encounters during her fieldwork. After introducing the culture, Scheper-Hughes gives a greater insight into how the politics and government negatively impact the attitude toward childbirth. The article concludes with Scheper-Hughes reflecting on her experience and explaining some of the positive changes that have occurred in the