Hey, I apologize in advance if anyone reading the title of this post ends up humming a certain tune for the rest of the day. Babycenter is going to be releasing the results of some surveys of parenting styles and beliefs from around the world. It'll be an international look at stuff like sleep routines, maternity and paternity leave, and division of household labor. Sounds like the results can be summarized with "There are some things we do differently, and some we do the same." Shocker!
Here's some preview tidbits: In China, "There's a widespread belief that exposure to computers, microwaves, and cell phones can lead to miscarriage or birth defects, according to BabyCenter editor Joy Jia. As a result, many pregnant women buy 'antiradiation vests' to protect their developing babies." I believe my giant maternity underwear might have also had antiradiation properties.
How about another one? "In Mexico and other Latin American countries, many believe that if you don't eat the food you crave during pregnancy, your baby will have a birthmark shaped like that food." Luckily, I indulged, so my child did not end up with a birthmark shaped like a deli-made roast beef sandwich, extra mayo, and cheddar cheese Ruffles chips (which you put on the sandwich as soon as you reach the privacy of your car.)
Or from Cuba and Panama: "People in many Latin American countries share a belief in the 'evil eye' — that is, the power of an evil or envious person to cause harm to a pregnant woman or her baby. In Cuba, pregnant women won't let anyone they don't know or trust touch their pregnant belly." I wish I had heard of this one when I was pregnant, because all that belly-touching from total strangers was creepy. I would have loved to shout, "Get your evil eye away from me!"
I wonder what the one for the U.S. would be... Maybe: "In the United States, many pregnant women believe they are supposed to exercise enough to be in the best shape of their lives, even though most are too tired and manatee-like to do it and just end up feeling really guilty. Also, people think the second trimester is a magical, racy time of constant sex, when hello! Tired manatee... Oh, and there's this overall belief that pregnancy brings on a certain glow-y euphoria, when lots of women are really just channeling the sleepy sea-cow."
