Examining the Role of Race in the Emotion Work of Ontario’s Midwives of Colour Examen du rôle de la race dans le travail émotionnel des sages-femmes ontariennes de couleur

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.

This article has been peer reviewed.