“Blessing the Child” in the Context of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Discover the first session of the 2026–2027 seminar series "Crossed Perspectives on Early Childhood" – The “blessing of the child” in the context of assisted reproductive technologies among the Ludar Roma of Mexico.

The seminar approaches early childhood as a social, historical, and cultural construct. Knowledge and theories relating to conception, birth, and child development are analysed in terms of the child’s interactions with their surroundings and according to gender norms. The seminar also explores the boundaries of this age category and its temporality, as defined by medical, international, anthropological, and historical standards.

Among the Ludar Roma of Mexico, the arrival of a newborn is considered a “blessing,” as is the case in many societies—indigenous and non-indigenous alike—in Mexico. Currently, only married Ludar women resort to assisted reproductive technology when they are unable to conceive.

What happens, then, between the success or failure of these techniques and the arrival of the child? This period gives rise to a series of ritual practices within the family group. More specifically, when a natural pregnancy occurs following a medical error, these practices continue until the birth of the baby. According to procedures we will discuss later, the baby—who holds considerable importance in this society—is then granted the status of a person in slightly different ways depending on the circumstances of its birth.

• Neyra Alvarado Solis: anthropologist at Colegio de San Luis (Mexico)
• Discussant: Charles-Edouard de Suremain : anthropologist - IRD