Examining the Role of Race in the Emotion Work of Ontario’s Midwives of Colour

Examining the Role of Race in the Emotion Work of Ontario’s Midwives of Colour

Lisa Reena Thacker, BSc, BHSc

ABSTRACT

Emotion work has significant implications in midwifery care, impacting midwife-client relationships, the quality of service provided, and professional satisfaction and retention. The existing research on emotion work in midwifery neglects to address how midwives’ social location (sexuality, class, ability, race, age, etc.) might influence the emotion work in which they engage. This paper explores how one aspect of social location—race—may play a role in creating more and different emotion work for midwives of colour. A more thorough and nuanced exploration of emotion work is needed to better support the professional lives of midwives of colour, and ultimately support Ontario’s vision of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive midwifery profession.

KEYWORDS

diversity, emotion work, midwifery, race

This article has been peer reviewed.

Examing the Role of Race in the Emotion Work of Ontario's Midwives of Colour (147 KB)