Sikh women

Sex determination

Some Sikhs are now participating in the growing practice of gender selection, particularly in the hope of having a male child. Most South Asian cultures have traditionally valued a male child more than female because of the economic benefit and continuation of the family line.

Diet

Expectant mothers are encouraged to maintain a healthy diet to nourish the unborn child. A child is seen as a gift from God and therefore should be nurtured from conception.

A baptised Sikh woman will refrain from eating meat and eggs, which may result in iron deficiency, requiring regular monitoring, with advice on alternative sources of iron.

Abortion

There is no specific dictate in religious texts about therapeutic abortions. Many Sikhs will therefore interpret certain parts of texts and make a personal decision in the case of fetal abnormality.

Generally, as Sikhs believe that the soul is ‘born’ immediately on conception, abortion is not accepted. However, if the mother’s life is threatened by the continuation of pregnancy then termination is often acceptable.

• Sikhism does not prescribe any special rituals during labour. All family members will be encouraged to meditate and say prayers for the newborn and mother. The mother herself will try and meditate during labour and recall verses from the Guru Granth Sahib.
• As is the case with women in general, out of a sense of modesty, many Sikh mothers-to-be would prefer to be seen by female health professionals during pregnancy and labour.
• In the case of baptised Sikh women, the five Ks are worn at all times and the mother should be consulted before removing any of these items. The five Ks are:
  • Kesh (aka Kes) - uncut hair to preserve God-given human form.
  • Kangha - comb to keep hair tidy and symbolising discipline and clarity of mind.
  • Kirpan - a sword which symbolises freedom and justice.
  • Kara - iron/steel bracelet worn on the right hand, reminding the wearer of God’s strength and infinity.
  • Kachha (aka Kachera) - short breeches emphasising commitment to purity.
• A request for keeping the Kachha (underwear) on one leg may be made.

• After labour, the mother is encouraged to rest and recuperate. This is a cultural practice. Mothers should be advised on early ambulation to prevent venous thrombosis.
• There is no concept of ‘pollution’ (a state of being ‘unclean’ as a result of vaginal discharge, precluding women from household chores) surrounding the mother either before, during, or after birth (in contrast to some other South Asian religions, such as Hinduism).
• A few days after birth the immediate family will go to the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) to present the baby to the Guru Granth Sahib (religious text) and recite hymns that are expressive of joy and thankfulness. Karhah Prashad (sacred pudding) is also eaten.

Breastfeeding is positively encouraged within the Sikh faith as it is considered a completely natural process and the best nourishment for the baby. The duration of breastfeeding and the timing of weaning the child is entirely a personal choice and not dictated by religious teaching.

• Many Sikh babies are given a Kara (bangle), often on the thirteenth day, but there is no time constraint on when it is given, and the paternal or maternal immediate family may give it.
• Some practices are borrowed from other religions such as Hinduism, rather than Sikh theology, and can vary markedly from family to family, for example:
  • A mother may return to her maternal home for 40 days after the birth of the baby, which may result in the missing of postnatal appointments.
  • Belief in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ foods (see previous section).
  • Giving the baby holy water (see previous section).
  • Placing a glass of water or something metallic under a baby’s cot. Both of these customs are rooted in Indian tradition.
• Because of their upbringing in India, older Sikhs may follow these customs which may then be passed onto subsequent generations. Without such rituals, some families feel the baby is vulnerable to ‘evil spirits’.
• Home visits after birth - some families are superstitious and will not allow visitors to enter the house and directly visit the newborn and mother. They are often initially led to another room to ‘shake off’ evil spirits.

Naming customs

• Many Sikhs will name their baby on the fortieth day after birth in a simple child naming ceremony (Nam Karan). A prayer (Ardas) is recited. The Guru Granth Sahib is then opened at random and the first letter from the top of the left page is used as the first letter of the name of the child. Either the parents announce the name of the child immediately, or later after consulting other members of the family.
• Sikh parents may choose a name without this ceremony, and yet others will get the paternal aunt or another close relative to choose, a process which may result in delay in registering the baby’s name.
• Further, to emphasise the equality of human beings and in explicit rejection of the Hindu caste system, all men and women add the name Singh (meaning "lion") to the forename of a son, and Kaur (meaning "princess") for girls. All Sikh names have a special religious meaning, for example Baljit means "mighty victorious".
• It is of practical interest to note that these names are not gender specific; Baljit Singh is a boy and Baljit Kaur is a girl.

This is left very much to the couple. There are no injunctions in Sikhism against the use of contraceptives.