Quels rites pour les maternités d'aujourd'hui ?

Abstract

Anthropological and historical studies show us to what point each society has instituted rites for maternity, and has organised help and support for women becoming mothers. Can such rites be found in our own society ? It could well be that medical exams, as well as all that is organised around attending to expectant women, might be forms of rites whose purpose is to prepare the arrival of a new member, the baby, into the social group. The way in which delivery is conducted can grant the experience certain aspects of a rite of initiation. The post-partum period however lacks any such aspect. It might be interesting to extend such ritual aspects to the couple as well as the mother during the pregnancy as to the period following the birth.