Premodern Views on Childlessness
Buch, Englisch, 255 Seiten, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm, Gewicht: 351 g
ISBN: 978-3-031-08979-4
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
This book examines discourses around infertility and views of childlessness in medieval and early modern Europe. Whereas in our own time reproductive behaviour is regulated by demographic policy in the interest of upholding the intergenerational contract, premodern rulers strove to secure the succession to their thrones and preserve family heritage. Regardless of status, infertility could have drastic consequences, above all for women, and lead to social discrimination, expulsion, and divorce.
Rather than outlining a history of discrimination against or the suffering of infertile couples, this book explores the mechanisms used to justify the unequal treatment of persons without children. Exploring views on childlessness across theology, medicine, law, demonology, and ethics, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of ‘fertility’ as an identity category from the perspective of new approaches in gender and intersectionality research. Shedding light on how premodern views have shaped understandings our own time, this book is highly relevant interest to students and scholars interested in discourses around infertility across history.
Zielgruppe
Research
Fachgebiete
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte
- Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Demographie, Demoskopie
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtswissenschaft Allgemein
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
Weitere Infos & Material
1. Introduction.- 2. Theology: salvation stories of (in)fertility.- 3. Medicine: body concepts of (in)fertility.- 4. Jurisprudence: laws on (in)fertility.- 5. Demonology: metaphysics of (in)fertility.- 6. Ethics: ideals of life with (in)fertility.- 7. Epilogue.
