Question

Watch Couvade Syndrome (link attached) . Couvade syndrome is an involuntary syndrome where an individual experiences the symptoms of their pregnant partner. In some cultures, the community observes the formal practice of couvade, in which the expectant father takes to his bed and observes very specific taboos during the period shortly before birth. For example, among the Arapesh of New Guinea, childbearing is believed to place as heavy a burden and drain of energy on the father as on the mother. Some cultures believe that by following the ritual of couvade, fathers distract the attention of evil spirits, so that the mother and baby can go through childbirth more safely. After watching the video, post a response to the following questions: What functions might be served by couvade syndrome and couvade rituals? Is there evidence in the literature of couvade syndrome symptoms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples who are expecting a child? What might be some additional explanations for couvade syndrome symptoms?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpHp7Mz9GLs

Answer 1

What functions might be served by couvade syndrome and couvade rituals?

The syndrome might bring the partners closer as they would psychologically better understand the life changing process of pregnancy and childbirth together.

It may increase the commitment of the male partner during pregnancy and also later once the child is born, especially might help with males who are aloof and detached from the female who goes through so many changes and transformations for the entire duration of pregnancy and afterwards.

Would make the males better fathers to the offspring as they would be able to relate more to the child and feel more responsible and capable in its upbringing.

Is there evidence in the literature of couvade syndrome symptoms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples who are expecting a child?

The couvade syndrome symptoms has primarily been a study concerning mainly male and female partners, it does not appear to have branched out to the LGBT spectrum much yet.

What might be some additional explanations for couvade syndrome symptoms?

Exceedingly empathetic and sensitive partners, to an extent that they take on the other person’s ‘suffering’ as their own.

Maybe reading pregnancy related literature prior to or during pregnancy could also psychologically affect a person and subconsciously plant ‘seeds’ inducing such symptoms in the male partner.

There are few other explanations that suggest envy, guilt and rivalry as causes of couvade. Envy because the male partner does not have the physical design and ability to procreate like a woman, guilt of getting their female partner pregnant and because of it they have to undergo all the trouble and bodily changes. And rivalry or a sense of competition for the role of the primary parent or for parenthood on the whole.