Intro
Series Editorial Advisory Board
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Book
Contents
Contributors
About the Editors
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
List of Boxes
Part I: Maternal Health, American Cultural Values, and the Social Determinants of Health
Chapter 1: The Health of American Mothers in the Context of Cultural Values
1.1 The Current State of Maternal Health in the USA
1.2 Social and Environmental Conditions Affecting Maternal Health
1.2.1 The Social Determinants of Health
1.2.2 The Social Determinants of Maternal Health

1.3 Cultural Values and Maternal Health Outcomes
1.3.1 American Cultural Values
1.3.2 Personal Control
1.3.3 Individualism
1.3.4 Action-Orientation
1.3.5 Practicality
1.3.6 Self-Reliance
1.4 Summary
References
Chapter 2: Cultural Values as a Basis for Decision-Making
2.1 Maternal Health Outcomes: A Reflection of Decisions
2.2 Theoretical Foundations of Decision-Making
2.2.1 The Study of Decision-Making
2.2.2 Cultural Alternatives in Decision-Making
2.3 Cultural Models: Guide to Decision-Making
2.3.1 Norms and Values

2.3.2 Decisions and Cultural Values
2.4 American Cultural Values
2.4.1 Personal Control
2.4.2 Individualism
2.4.3 Action-Orientation
2.4.4 Practicality
2.4.5 Self-Reliance
2.5 Summary
References
Part II: The Lived Experience of American Mothers
Chapter 3: Social Regard for Motherhood
3.1 Motherhood in the USA
3.2 Experiences Across Life
3.2.1 Life Course Theory
3.2.2 Context
3.2.3 Developmental Stage
3.2.4 Timing
3.2.5 Agency
3.2.6 Linked Lives
3.3 American Cultural Values Shaping Motherhood
3.4 Summary
References

Chapter 4: Fertility and Reproductive Health
4.1 Fertility and Reproductive Health in the USA
4.2 Influence of American Cultural Values
4.2.1 Women of Diverse Backgrounds
4.2.2 Negative Birth Experience
4.2.3 Expectations of Family Structure
4.3 Distress and Ambivalence about Motherhood
4.4 Infertility
4.4.1 Assisted Reproductive Technology
4.4.2 Social Response to Infertility
4.5 Family Building Alternatives
4.6 Summary
References
Chapter 5: Maternal Mental Health and Illness
5.1 Current State of Maternal Mental Health Inequities in the USA

5.2 Social Determinants of Health: Social and Community Context
5.3 Personal Control: An American Cultural Value Affecting Maternal Mental Health
5.4 Summary
References
Chapter 6: The Lived Experience of American Mothers in the Military
6.1 Mothers in the Military Culture
6.2 Maternal Health Care in the Military Community
6.3 The Evolving Family Culture in the Military
6.3.1 The Historical Expectations of Mothers in the Military Community
6.3.2 Contemporary Expectations of Mothers in the Military Community
6.3.3 Conflicts for Working Mothers in the Military Community