Question

How does Mary Helen Ponce describe the traditional way Mexican-American women prepared for childbirth in their community?

A) They relied on modern medical practices.
B) They had no specific preparations.
C) They followed traditional practices and relied on herbal remedies.
D) They sought assistance from male family members.

Answer 1

Mary Helen Ponce suggests that Mexican-American women traditionally prepared for childbirth using time-honored practices and herbal remedies, aligning with wider cultural tendencies to resist Western medicalization by grounding healthcare in community and natural approaches.

Step-by-step explanation:

How Mary Helen Ponce describes the traditional way Mexican-American women prepared for childbirth in their community is most aligned with option C) They followed traditional practices and relied on herbal remedies.

The historical context provided indicates that outside of the Western medical establishment, different groups, including Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, and Native Americans, often relied on traditional practices, midwives, and holistic approaches to healthcare, including childbirth.

These practices were deeply rooted in cultural knowledge about medicinal plants and community support structures.

This communal and herbal approach to childbirth and other aspects of healthcare often served as a form of resistance to the medicalization and institutionalization that marginalized these communities.

Answer 2

Mary Helen Ponce describes the traditional way Mexican-American women prepared for childbirth in their community as follows:

C) They followed traditional practices and relied on herbal remedies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mary Helen Ponce explains that in the Mexican-American community she studied, women traditionally prepared for childbirth by following traditional practices and relying on herbal remedies. This means that instead of relying solely on modern medical practices, they incorporated cultural and traditional methods into their childbirth preparations.

These traditional practices might include using herbs and remedies passed down through generations to address various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, such as easing discomfort or promoting a healthy pregnancy. It reflects the blending of cultural and traditional knowledge with the contemporary healthcare system to meet the unique needs and preferences of Mexican-American women in the context of childbirth.

Therefore, the correct option is: C) They followed traditional practices and relied on herbal remedies.