Social norms are accepted behaviors within a society or group. The majority of Malaysians follow the social norm of confinement. Confinement involves a woman taking certain prescribed cultural norms to recover from her pregnancy. Many Malay, Chinese, and Indians, as well as other ethnic groups in Malaysia follow this practice. The one cultural group I will specifically focus on is Chinese culture, since my own experience stems from this specific cultural norm.
Chinese confinement can vary from household. The majority of elders who spoke to me about confinement share common beliefs in regards to the length of confinement, the specific food preparation, and the concept of “wind.” Chinese confinement lasts 30-40 days and involves the mother taking specific steps to ensure that both she and the child remain healthy. The mother undergoes a strict routine of resting, and usually has her mother or some other female care for her and the baby. The mother is not allowed to wash her hair or bathe, for there is the fear of “wind” entering the body. Other precautions to stop wind from entering the body include not using a fan or air conditioning in the house. The mother is also suggested to wear socks to keep her feet warm and long sleeved clothing. This practice originates in China and is widely practiced here in the hot tropical weather of Malaysia.
The confinement food consists of nutritious dishes with chicken being the staple meat. The Chinese also use lots of ginger as the magic ingredient to help the mother rid of her wind. Many women are told not to leave the house during this time, so that the baby and the mother do not come into contact with outside illnesses.
There is also the practice of hiring a confinement lady for the 30-40 day period, which is quite costly and can run RM 3000-4000 (967.00USD-1290.00). The confinement lady will wash and dry clothing, cook confinement food, and will even stay up with the baby at night, while the mother can take her rest.
Simon Baron-Cohen, a major contributor of autism research comes to my mind when I am contemplating confinement. Baron-Cohen talks about typically developing people having the ability to attribute mental states, such as having intentions, beliefs, and feelings that may be similar or have different meaning from one’s own mindset. For a westerner, it took me some time to adapt to the mindset of a Chinese elder lecturing me on the importance of having to practice this custom. After understanding the mindset, I have to choose if I want to do it. I think that I will excuse myself from confinement, no matter what the social pressure I may undergo. It will be interesting to experience what sort of treatment I will receive when I avoid conforming.
Tags: Chinese Confinement, Confinement, Confinement in Malaysia
