On Family, Fieldwork, and Liquid Gold

Health Commun. 2023 Jan;38(1):181-183. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2021.1941644. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Abstract

In this essay, I story my discovery of breastmilk markets and my subsequent fieldwork and research program in the milk banking industry. I discuss how my experience growing up as the oldest of six children and daughter of a Labor and Delivery nurse foregrounded my curiosity and commitment to the organization of donor milk. I then use concrete research poetry to convey the political conditions that gave rise to this industry. In response, I reflect on the contrast between my childfree identity and the lived circumstances of milk donors/recipients by pondering the shared consequences of pronatalist and disciplinary discourses. Finally, I note the importance of community knowledge of milk banking (regardless of parental status) and offer questions to inspire further research in health communication.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Gold*
  • Humans
  • Milk Banks*
  • Tissue Donors

Substances

  • Gold