On Tuesday, May 13, Professor Laura Lowenkron (CLAM/IMS/UERJ) will present the open lecture “Politics of Reproduction: Motherhoods, Inequalities, and Reproductive Governance” at 2:00 p.m., in the auditorium of the Institute of Social Medicine at UERJ (6th floor, Block E, Room 6012).
The CLAM Seminars, promoted by the Latin American Center on Sexuality and Human Rights (CLAM/IMS/UERJ), bring together students, researchers, and other individuals interested in the themes of gender, sexuality, and human rights to create a space for learning and information exchange through academic work that intersects with the Center’s activities. The meetings are held in person and do not require prior registration.
Learn more about Professor Laura Lowenkron’s presentation:
Politics of Reproduction: Motherhoods, Inequalities, and Reproductive Governance
Abstract: Based on reflections and research projects collectively developed over the past five years, this presentation begins with the premise that all reproduction is political and all reproductive policy is racialized. Reproduction is understood here as a polysemic concept that is not limited to a phenomenon culturally conceived as biological (such as pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), but also includes social reproduction and care practices. In order to highlight the persistence of coloniality in reproductive policies, I propose to analyze them through the contrast between modes of reproductive governance that operate either by promoting, exalting, encouraging, and valuing certain forms of motherhood, or by prohibiting, invisibilizing, denying, and devaluing others. Based on a literature review anchored in the bibliography of elective courses on the topic taught between 2022 and 2024, I present the theoretical-conceptual foundations that guide this analytical perspective and the main historical milestones and shifts that help support this argument. I then draw on data from socio-anthropological research I have developed, participated in, and/or supervised, which contribute to deepening and expanding intersectional analyses and critiques of reproductive policies based on current issues and recent empirical studies.
Suggested readings:
LOWENKRON, Laura; HASTENREITER, Leticia. Pandemic motherhoods: experiences of women from different social classes during daycare closures in Rio de Janeiro. Revista Mundaú, v. 1, n. 15 (2024), dossier Motherhoods, care practices and government technologies. Available at: https://www.seer.ufal.br/index.php/revistamundau/article/view/17221
LOWENKRON, Laura; FERNANDES, Camila. Motherhood amidst reprimands and advice: parenting and class in Rio de Janeiro. Ethos s. 2025;e70013. Available at: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/etho.70013
Maternidades Ameaçadas (REMA) Podcast. Episode “Too Mad to Mother?”, with Laura Lowenkron, Tamara Vicaroni, and Ueslei Solaterrar. https://rema.uff.br/episodio-5-loucas-demais-para-maternar/
Additional reading:
FONSECA, Claudia; MARRE, Diana; RIFIOTIS, Fernanda. Reproductive governance: a matter of utmost political relevance. Horizontes Antropológicos, Porto Alegre, vol. 27, no. 61, pp. 7–46, Sept./Dec. 2021. Available at: https://www.scielo.br/j/ha/a/XvKr7jZYGHDc3Frc5D8FGPw/?format=pdf
Address: Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro (IMS/UERJ). Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Maracanã. ZIP – 20550-013 – Rio de Janeiro – RJ – Brazil. Email – contatoclam@gmail.com
