The Importance of Violence in Of Woman Born In cultures as diverse as Sweden and Yucatan, women have a role in decision making during childbirth. The Yucatan midwife emphasizes that "every woman must 'find the form', find her own path, and that it is the midwife's job to assist in whatever decision is made." This does not mean that births are painless, but that unnecessary pain is prevented, the birth is not treated as a 'medical event', and the woman's individual temperament and physique are trusted and respected." (p.175) Rich he begins and ends his book on the topic of violence to get our attention, once he realizes that something needs to change, his ideas are further developed, suggesting that with some major change in the patriarchal system this violence could end, and the being a mother wouldn't be that difficult. I agree it can be much better than this dated account of a mother's life, but as the Yucatan midwives said, there will still be pain of the woman's individual temperament and physique respected, but I go a step further and think that this particular discussion of labor should be a metaphor for what this book is about. The description of labor and birth above is how motherhood should be approached, substituting a partner, husband, or friend for the role of midwife. In this situation patriarchy does not need to fall, a much more achievable goal. Both beginning and ending with violence, Rich claims that these atrocities can be repaired or at least should be repaired by his proposal to denounce patriarchy. Not only may this not be possible, but it implies that once the balance of power shifts, this long-discussed violence could change. Even though the balance of power may change, abusive, violent and uncaring parents, fathers or mothers will continue to exist regardless of who holds power, thus leaving the burden of raising children on the other parent, creating the same situation we have today . Today. By placing so much emphasis on violence, Rich ambiguously gives hope that with his plan this violence will end. Since Rich implies a solution to the problem, she too is carrying forward a kind of myth.