A Child is Born

“A Child is Born” presents a comparison between the parents child relationship in the developed west and traditional east. The writer

supports traditional child bearing process, which is full of love, care, support and communal help. Greer comments on modern method of child birth, which is undesirable, painful and psychologically stressful.

In traditional society pregnancy and child birth are accepted culturally and collectively. So, mother doesn’t have the psychic burden. She forgets her worries. She is supported mainly by her husband, family members and relatives. She has sense of security. In traditional society prenatal and post-natal period is celebrated as ritual. It is an opportunity to enjoy baby. Pregnant mother is given proper attention, love and care. After child birth, baptism and food giving process is celebrated with great joy. Mother and baby are given new clothes. In traditional societies, marriage and child birth are both social pressure. A married woman doesn’t become complete before giving birth to baby. After giving birth to the baby, she is called by her child’s name. The relationship between mother and child is more important that of husband and wife. Giving birth to baby and breast feeding is success for married woman. In traditional society, it is better to have son but the birth of a girl is celebrated with the same joy. In Bangladesh children under five are looked after by the whole family especially by grandparents. Children are not given toys to play rather grandparents tell them stories.

Summary Written by-Binisha Ghalan