Medical Techniques and Dilemmas of the Subject in Neo-liberalism Cover Image

Teknikat Mjekesore dhe Dilemat e Subjektit ne Neo-Liberalizëm - Rasti i ndërhyrjeve cezariane te gratë shtatzëna
Medical Techniques and Dilemmas of the Subject in Neo-liberalism

Author(s): Klodiana Turhani
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Clinical psychology, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Shtëpia botuese “UET Press”
Keywords: Albania; neo-liberalism; medicine; medical techniques; dilemmas; childbirth; caesarean section;

Summary/Abstract: Techniques are more and more present in the life of human being in their health, social, or political plans. As a case study I will address how the “caesarean section” that is performed during the birth of a child is offered to prevent maternal and infant mortality. We found that there is increasing use of “caesarean section» in childbirth and most often pregnancy is treated as a disease rather than a natural physiological process. As a post-socialist country, techniques or scientific achievements were presented to Albanians for a 50-year periods as the project of creating “new socialist man”. On the other hand neoliberal discourse emphasizes performing / reproductive body. Reproduction is not seen only as a result of intimate relation but more and more as a product of technique. Caesarean section, in some cases is presented as a requirement by pregnant women because they want to avoid pain. According to the Lacanian theory not only unconscious desires of the subject but failures as well will be understood under the social interaction of the subject. In the Albanian context techniques or technology as synonym to progress has left traces in social memory as a substitute or a rival of natural forms and techniques. Thus these techniques do not work under a set of internal morality but instead on how people use them.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 53-62
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Albanian