Couvade (Noun)
Meaning
A custom among some peoples whereby the husband of a pregnant wife is put to bed at the time of bearing the child.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The expectant father was subjected to the ancient ritual of couvade, where he was confined to bed alongside his wife during childbirth.
- In some cultures, the couvade is seen as a way for the father to empathize with the mother's pain and share in the experience of childbirth.
- The anthropologist studied the couvade customs of various tribes, noting the different ways in which men were involved in the birthing process.
- The husband's participation in the couvade was seen as a way to prove his devotion to his wife and unborn child.
- The practice of couvade has been observed in many indigenous cultures, where the father's role in childbirth is considered just as important as the mother's.