Hidden in Plain Sight: Neoliberalism’s Impact on Midwifery Education

Universities, although instruments of learning, are not immune from the effects of dominant economic and social discourses such as neoliberalism. Neoliberalism is changing the way undergraduate programmes are preparing the helping professions for the workforce and midwifery is no exception. This needs to be addressed if we are to develop midwives who are critically aware of all forms of injustice affecting childbearing women within contemporary maternity services. Alongside this awareness, student midwives need to be prepared to act to address these injustices so that maternity structures serve women’s interests, not the other way round.