Conclusion: A Culture of Anxiety?

Speaking About Birth: Visible and Silenced Narratives in Online Discussions of Childbirth

“…The second convergence I propose is disciplinary—I suggest a stronger connection between (networked) communication studies and the physical, emotional, and social aspects of parenting (cf. Gong, 2016) which includes pregnancy, birthing, infant feeding, post-natal illnesses, in a broader context where parenting (of older children) has already been finding a lot of attention.…”

Representing anxious parents in China: A study of Parenting Science magazine 1980–2016

“…The above trend corroborates a key finding from a focus group-based study with Chinese parents and grandparents conducted between 2010 and 2015. New parents and grandparents who are involved in childcare believe that children’s healthcare has occupied a central position in their everyday childcare tasks (Gong, 2016). Furthermore, the magazine’s coverage of health and development (physical and psychological) issues is characterised by a tendency of ‘medicalisation’, defined as ‘a process by which nonmedical problems becomes defined and treated as medical problems, usually in terms of illnesses or disorders’ (Conrad, 1992: 209).…”

“…The tone found in the discussion of pathologies is often characterised by a sense of urgency and severity. As discussed elsewhere (Gong, 2016), words and phrases expressing imperative mood such as ‘do not’, ‘stop’ and ‘let’s’ urge readers to recognise health issues and take immediate actions (e.g. eliminate allergens at home).…”

“…While a wealth of literature researching parenthood, parental practices and parenting culture can be found in Western societies (Apple, 1995; Crighton et al, 2013; Furedi, 2008; Hays, 1996; Knaak, 2010; Lee et al, 2010, 2016; Murphy, 2000; Oakley, 1980; Schmied and Lupton, 2001; Shirani et al, 2012; Thomson et al, 2011), little existing literature addresses similar topics in China, a country with a recent history of state-directed modernisation. The modernising processes - including individualisation, marketisation and a neoliberal reform of the healthcare system - have reconfigured the ‘cultural experience’ of individuals (Barker, 2012: 185), such as parents shifting their childrearing activities towards a modern, self-managed set of practices based on individual family resources (Binah-Pollak, 2014; Davis and Sensenbrenner, 2000; Gong, 2016). The ‘experiences’ of new parents in urban China are characterised by anxieties which are linked to uncertainty, ambiguity, risk and continual change (Gong, 2016).…”

“…The modernising processes - including individualisation, marketisation and a neoliberal reform of the healthcare system - have reconfigured the ‘cultural experience’ of individuals (Barker, 2012: 185), such as parents shifting their childrearing activities towards a modern, self-managed set of practices based on individual family resources (Binah-Pollak, 2014; Davis and Sensenbrenner, 2000; Gong, 2016). The ‘experiences’ of new parents in urban China are characterised by anxieties which are linked to uncertainty, ambiguity, risk and continual change (Gong, 2016). They are further compounded by a recent population policy in China allowing urban couples to have a second child.…”