Birthing Contradictions: Midwifery as a Profession and a Social Movement

Abstract

In this paper I argue that midwifery as a profession is counter to midwifery as a social movement. A profession contradicts a social movement because professions are task oriented and conflict stays within the bounds of a system operating through rational-legal authority. Social movements can be seen as enacting charismatic authority, which is fundamentally opposed to rational-legal authority. Social movements are conflict oriented and want to change the system in which they exist. As a profession midwifery organizations and systems of education are focused on legitimating their jurisdiction over tasks by appealing to legal-rational authority. Conflict is avoided and the underlying philosophies of midwifery are expressed through a language of consumerism that works with current power systems rather than expressed as a political position challenging power. As a profession midwifery enables the potential for competition, desire for distinction, and different communities of midwives based on worksite, weakening solidarity for the potential mobilization of a social movement.