Stratified Post-Reproduction: An Analysis of Black Women’s Barriers to Postpartum Depression Treatment

Abstract

Stratified reproduction is defined as a systemic devaluation of one group’s reproductive capacity over another’s (Harris & Wolfe, 2014). This article seeks to analyze the effects of stratified reproduction on the experiences of Black women with postpartum depression. Beginning with a thorough analysis of postpartum depression, its prevalence, and its methods of treatment, the paper then goes on to evaluate the existing research done on postpartum depression in Black women specifically. After analyzing evidence that indicates higher rates of mental illness among Black mothers, the paper examines stratified reproduction and a new term “stratified post-reproduction” is defined. In comparison, stratified post-reproduction, a term coined by the author, serves to elucidate the ways in which the prioritization of and concentration on white women’s post birth experiences by the medical community at large leads to a lower quality of treatment of non-white women and mothers of other marginalized groups (Primm et al., 2010). This creates a system that increases the rates of postpartum depression among Black women and keeps Black women from seeking post-birth care for this depression. The paper concludes by offering community based, feminist, and Black centered approaches to treating and caring for Black mothers in the period directly after birth. It is important to center Black voices and experiences in conversations about systemic oppression and thus the article cites research analyzing interviews done with Black mothers and focuses on research conducted by people of color and women.