“‘You’re a Mom Now!’ Cultural Intent, Insecurity and Other Performances of Ethnicity

• In Event: 50866 - Race, Families, and Reproductive Health (Co-sponsored by Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities)

Abstract

Within days of giving birth, second-generation Haitian American mothers often undergo a three-day postpartum practice—a folk medicinal tradition using herbs to prepare vaginal steams and tea—passed down from generation to generation, from mother to daughter. Little is known about the history of this practice or its continued relevance and practice outside of Haiti. Drawing on twenty-eight interviews with middle-class, second-generation Haitian American mothers living in the greater metropolitan Miami, FL area, I examine two questions: (1) What meaning do second-generation mothers give this practice? and (2) How does this practice give insight into the ethnic socialization process? This study finds that many Haitian American mothers view this practice as a non-negotiable ritual that strengthens social cohesion with older female kin and socializes the new mothers into their new gender role of culture keeper. In addition, the postpartum practice and subsequent daily performances of ethnicity (e.g., language, food), signify the new mothers’ intent to continue the culture for their children, as well as their insecurities about their cultural knowledge. These findings illustrate that partaking in this cultural postpartum practice bridges the abstract desire for cultural transmission with the tangible and often complicated task of engaging in cultural socialization.

Author

• Vadricka Etienne, University of Nevada-Reno