Description
Based on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork (2017/2018) in the central and northern part of Montenegro, in this paper I explore how failing to bear a son is experienced by women in the society, where “the idea of men andmale offspring asmore valuable thanwomen and female offspring” persists (Kiščenko 2021, 87). Historically, Montenegro’s traditional social and kinship systems were male-centred: men had a central power and resources in society; family name and assets were inherited by male lineage; sons were expected to live close to father and take care of aging parents. Being a woman in Montenegro meant getting married, moving away from the family, moving with, and taking care of husband’s household, serving new family, and giving birth to children (Durham 1928, Denich 1974, Boehm 1984). Not only in the past, but also nowadays Montenegro is experiencing son preference and sex-selective abortions (Stump 2011, United Nations Population Fund 2012, Muižnieks 2014). I argue that in the society where sons are prioritized, it is not the sex of the foetus that is seen as failure, but the gender potentiality of the foetus - ideas and practices associated with gender. The failure of reproductive aspirations can cause the avalanche of other potentially unwanted events for woman. Based on the ethnographic explorations, I show how carrying female foetus can create a feeling of failed expectations, influence woman’s position and relationship in the family and place her in a vulnerable economical position.| Period | 22 Mar 2023 |
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| Event title | Biennial Conference of the Finnish Anthropological Society 2023: Relations and beyond |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Rovaniemi, FinlandShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |