Birth Quote by Frances Greenslade
““There should be different words for giving birth than the ones we have. 'Giving' should at least be 'undertaking' or 'undergoing'. I remember in church how the priest said, 'Mary bore Jesus', and I always thought of it as 'bored'. But now that I know what 'bore' means, and now that I've seen what Jenny went through, it's a much better word than the passive 'the baby was born', like it's as easy as growing fingernails””
About This Quote
Source Article: The Language of Birth, 2018
An argument that current terminology for childbirth is passive; proposes more active, empowering language.
In simple terms: Birth should be described as an active undertaking.
Key Takeaway
Use active verbs to describe childbirth.
Themes
language
gender
empowerment
Mood
thoughtful
empowering
Type
social
psychological
When to use this quote
- medical communication
- parenting workshops
- literature
- media
Key Concepts
semantic framing
social narratives
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape perception of childbirth?
- What words better capture the experience?
A Different Perspective
Changing language alone may not shift deeper attitudes.
