@article{1451457,
      author = {Toepfer, Regina, and Sotejeff-Wilson, Kate,},
      url = {http://library.usi.edu/record/1451457},
      title = {Infertility in medieval and early modern Europe :  premodern views on childlessness /},
      abstract = {This book examines discourses around infertility and views  of childlessness in medieval and early modern Europe.  Whereas in our own time reproductive behaviour is regulated  by demographic policy in the interest of upholding the  intergenerational contract, premodern rulers strove to  secure the succession to their thrones and preserve family  heritage. Regardless of status, infertility could have  drastic consequences, above all for women, and lead to  social discrimination, expulsion, and divorce. Rather than  outlining a history of discrimination against or the  suffering of infertile couples, this book explores the  mechanisms used to justify the unequal treatment of persons  without children. Exploring views on childlessness across  theology, medicine, law, demonology, and ethics, it  undertakes a comprehensive examination of fertility as an  identity category from the perspective of new approaches in  gender and intersectionality research. Shedding light on  how premodern views have shaped understandings our own  time, this book is highly relevant interest to students and  scholars interested in discourses around infertility across  history. Regina Toepfer is Chair of Medieval German  Literature at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg,  Germany.},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08977-0},
      recid = {1451457},
      pages = {1 online resource (x, 255 pages) :},
}