Motherhood and Child Healthcare Experiences Among a Unique PVTG of West Bengal,India: A Case of Tradition,Transition and Transformation for the Sake of Existence

Abstract

All over the world and, moreover, in the developing countries like India, women experience threats to their lives, health and well-being are also overburdened with work and lack power and influence; further, the situation is vulnerable among the marginalized segment. A unique PVTG of the northern part of West Bengal is struggling for its very existence through the life experiences of motherhood and childcare practices. It is noticed that most often they follow the age-old traditions while not completely unaware of the modern biomedical procedures. The lack of accessibility makes them less confident towards the latter. A typical state of transition is evident, although their conceptions regarding the pregnancy, delivery and childcare practices are not significantly hyper-medicalized. Rather a continuous existence of humanization of birth process is being practised. The article explores the conspicuous women participation and significant roles in the entire health-seeking behaviour in connection to pregnancy, childbirth and related health care issues. Furthermore, the entire discourse also elucidates the state of motherhood and its intrinsic decision-making behaviour in order to retain the economic viability of the population.

Keywords

Motherhood child birth tradition hyper-medicalized humanization viability PVTG

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