Infertility in Medieval and Early Modern Europe - Premodern Views on Childlessness (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2022)

This book examines discourses around infertility and views of childlessness in medieval and early modern Europe. Whereas in our own time reproductive behaviour is regulated by demographic policy in the interest of upholding the intergenerational contract, premodern rulers strove to secure the succession to their thrones and preserve family heritage. Regardless of status, infertility could have drastic consequences, above all for women, and lead to social discrimination, expulsion, and divorce. Rather than outlining a history of discrimination against or the suffering of infertile couples, this book explores the mechanisms used to justify the unequal treatment of persons without children. Exploring views on childlessness across theology, medicine, law, demonology, and ethics, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of 'fertility' as an identity category from the perspective of new approaches in gender and intersectionality research. Shedding light on how premodern views have shaped understandings our own time, this book is highly relevant interest to students and scholars interested in discourses around infertility across history.

General

Imprint:	Palgrave Macmillan
Country of origin:	Switzerland
Release date:	November 2022
First published:	2022
Authors:	Regina Toepfer
Translators:	Kate Sotejeff-Wilson
Dimensions:	210 x 148 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	255
Edition:	1st ed. 2022
ISBN-13:	978-3-03-108976-3
Languages:	English
Subtitles:	German
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Population & demography > General Books > History > European history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history
LSN:	3-03-108976-6
Barcode:	9783031089763

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