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Understanding Gender and Power Dynamics Within the Family: A Qualitative Study of Nepali Women's Experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2012

Kiran Regmi*
Affiliation:
Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan, [email protected]
Rebekah Smart
Affiliation:
California State University, United States of America.
Jeffrey Kottler
Affiliation:
California State University, United States of America; University of New England, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Kiran Regmi, Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal.
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Abstract

Among the Maori of New Zealand, Aboriginals of Australia, and other Indigenous peoples, family dynamics strongly influence the ways that issues emerge in counseling. This study explores aspects of gender and power within the context of birth practices in rural Nepal. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 postpartum women, as well as family members, to collect narratives of birthing experiences that highlight issues of oppression, marginalisation, and power struggles. Implications for multicultural and social justice awareness in family therapy are discussed, especially with regard to the subtle, disguised ways that power operates behind the scenes, often sabotaging efforts by health and mental health professionals to be most helpful.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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