Faculty Experts Guide

Sociology and Anthropology

Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology

Specialties:

Sociology and anthropology, doula, intimate labor, childbirth, humanized birth, mothering, reproduction, Latin American culture

Bio:

Angela Castaneda specializes in the anthropology of reproduction, childbirth and mothering. In particular, she looks at the role of doulas, and specifically doulas who help pregnant and laboring couples. Castaneda did research with a community of doulas in Indiana, including mothers who have hired a doula, and labor and delivery nurses who interact with doulas. She has examined why people become doulas and their role in hospital delivery rooms – doulas offer emotional support only. Castaneda says that historically women have done this for other women, but we've lost some of that in today's society. Castaneda is coeditor of Doulas and Intimate Labour: Boundaries, Bodies and Birth. She is on the editorial board for Journal of Mother Studies.

Castaneda also has conducted research on Latin America and has taught courses about Latin America.