Village Mothers: Three Generations of Change in Russia and Tataria (Indiana-Michigan Series in Russian and East European Studies)

Village Mothers describes the reception of modern medical ideas and practices by three generations of Russian and Tatar village women in the 20th century. It first traces the entry of Western medical discourse on reproduction into Russia and its extension to the countryside during the Soviet period. Using the village mothers' own words, as captured in 100 oral interviews collected by the author and his collaborators in the early 1990s, David L. Ransel shows how the women mediated the inherited beliefs of their families and communities, the claims of the state to control reproduction, and their personal desires for a better life. The interviews tell of willing acceptance of some changes and selective acceptance of or outright resistance to others. The women interviewed were subject to powerful forces beyond their control, ranging from patriarchal tyranny to civil war, governmental coercion and violence, famine, and world war. Their testimonies, however, reveal the strategies by which they maintained a measure of personal control and choice that enabled them to build a sense of independence, endure hardship, and give meaning to their lives. Village Mothers Describes The Reception Of Modern Medical Ideas And Practices By Three Generations Of Russian And Tatar Village Women In The Twentieth Century. It First Traces The Entry Of Western Medical Discourse On Reproduction Into Russia And Its Extension To The Countryside During The Soviet Period. Using The Village Mothers' Own Words, As Captured In 100 Oral Interviews Collected By The Author And His Collaborators In The Early 1990s, David L. Ransel Shows How The Women Mediated The Inherited Beliefs Of Their Families And Communities, The Claims Of The State To Control Reproduction, And Their Personal Desires For A Better Life. The Interviews Tell Of Willing Acceptance Of Some Changes And Selective Acceptance Of Or Outright Resistance To Others. The Women Interviewed Were Subject To Powerful Forces Beyond Their Control, Ranging From Patriarchal Tyranny To Civil War, Governmental Coercion And Violence, Famine, And World War. Their Testimonies, However, Reveal The Strategies By Which They Maintained A Measure Of Personal Control And Choice That Enabled Them To Build A Sense Of Independence, Endure Hardship, And Give Meaning To Their Lives. The Scope Of These Personal Histories And The Detailed Information They Convey About Everyday Life In Rural Soviet Communities Provide An Important And Fascinating Portrait Of Socio-cultural Continuity And Transformation In Twentieth-century Russia.--jacket. Introduction -- Child Welfare Before The Revolution -- Soviet Efforts To Transform Village Mothering -- Courtship And Marriage -- Fertility Choices -- Giving Birth -- Baptism And Equivalent Muslim Rites -- Coping With Infant Death -- Child Care -- Conclusion. Life And Loyalty In Hard Times -- Appendix A. List Of Informants -- Appendix B. Questionnaire. David L. Ransel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [299]-306) And Index. "Village Mothers describes the reception of modern medical ideas and practices by three generations of Russian and Tatar village women in the twentieth century. It first traces the entry of Western medical discourse on reproduction into Russia and its extension to the countryside during the Soviet period. Using the village mothers' own words, as captured in 100 oral interviews collected by the author and his collaborators in the early 1990s, David L. Ransel shows how the women mediated the inherited beliefs of their families and communities, the claims of the state to control reproduction, and their personal desires for a better life. The interviews tell of willing acceptance of some changes and selective acceptance of or outright resistance to others. The women interviewed were subject to powerful forces beyond their control, ranging from patriarchal tyranny to civil war, governmental coercion and violence, famine, and world war. Their testimonies, however, reveal the strategies by which they maintained a measure of personal control and choice that enabled them to build a sense of independence, endure hardship, and give meaning to their lives. The scope of these personal histories and the detailed information they convey about everyday life in rural Soviet communities provide an important and fascinating portrait of socio-cultural continuity and transformation in twentieth-century Russia."--BOOK JACKET. Frontmatter ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (page vii) NOTE ON TRANSLITERATION (page ix) Introduction (page 1) 1. Child Welfare before the Revolution (page 20) 2. Soviet Efforts to Transform Village Mothering (page 43) 3. Courtship and Marriage (page 80) 4. Fertility Choices (page 102) 5. Giving Birth (page 124) 6. Baptism and Equivalent Muslim Rites (page 164) 7. Coping with Infant Death (page 183) 8. Child Care (page 196) 9. Conclusion: Life and Loyalty in Hard Times (page 234) APPENDIX A: LIST OF INFORMANTS (page 253) APPENDIX B: QUESTIONNAIRE (page 259) NOTES (page 263) BIBLIOGRAPHY (page 299) INDEX (page 307) "This book describes the reception of modern medical ideas and practices by three generations of Russuian and Tatar village women in the 20th century. It first traces the entry of Western medical discourse on reproduction into Russia and its extension of the countryside during the Soviet period. Using the village mothers' own words, as captured in 100 oral interviews collected by the author and his collaborators in the early 1990s, the author shows how the women modified the inherited beliefs ..." From the late seventeenth century onward, Russian political and religious leaders lived in the world of European ideas.