On the Basis of Her Work in Northeastern Brazil and on Literature

question 26

Multiple Choice

On the basis of her work in northeastern Brazil and on literature describing practices in other parts of the world,Scheper-Hughes feels that

• A) it was instinctual for mothers to grieve deeply over a dead son or daughter in every society, including those with high infant mortality rates.
• B) it was natural for poor mothers to maintain emotional distance from infants who are likely to die.
• C) civil authorities tried hard to improve the condition of poor women but the latter would not help themselves.
• D) poor women let their babies die despite concerted efforts by church authorities to prevent them from doing so.

---

Definitions:

Therapeutic Abortion

An abortion carried out to preserve the health or life of the mother.

Voluntary Pregnancy

A pregnancy that occurs as a result of individuals choosing to conceive and carry a baby to term without external coercion.

Nontherapeutic Abortions

Abortions performed for reasons other than to preserve the health or life of the mother.

Therapeutic Abortions

Abortions performed for the purpose of preserving the health or life of the mother, often considered in the context of medical ethics and women's rights.