“No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.”
In Shire’s world, FGM is the ultimate act of "teaching" violence. Mothers, often forced to comply by their own mothers, hold their daughters down. The community believes they are "purifying" the girl. Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth
The daughter’s education of the mother involves breaking the cycle. It is the daughter saying: I will not hold my daughter down. Let me teach you a different way to love me. “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark
"My mother’s body is a museum of survival. / She keeps her legs closed during birth." The daughter’s education of the mother involves breaking
For daughters of immigrants, refugees, and survivors of patriarchal violence, the phrase "Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth" captures a specific, inverted reality:
As my mother gained knowledge, she began to feel more confident and empowered. She started to see childbirth as a natural process, rather than something to be feared. We practiced breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization techniques together, which helped her to relax and focus. I also encouraged her to connect with other women who had experienced childbirth, hearing their stories and learning from their experiences.