Rituals of transition during pregnancy in contemporary societies: a scoping review.

Abstract

Transition rituals are symbolic practices that structure and give meaning to the experience of pregnancy, supporting the emotional and social adaptation of expectant parents. However, the reinterpretation of these rituals within contemporary contexts, shaped by globalisation and hypermodernity, remains underexplored. This scoping review aimed to characterise pregnancy transition rituals and their transformations in modern society. A systematic search was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCOhost, with no restrictions on language or publication year. Fifteen studies were included, describing four main rituals: Gender Reveal Parties, Baby Showers, Babymoons, and Blessingways. These rituals foster social bonds and help prepare expectant parents for the transition to parenthood. However, each has undergone significant change due to the influence of media, consumerism, and commercialisation, which have contributed to the reinforcement of traditional gender norms and materialist values. In conclusion, despite their continued function as rites of passage, pregnancy rituals reflect a persistent tension between their traditional symbolic meanings and the reinterpretations that emerge within contemporary society. Further research is needed to explore the emotional, social, and symbolic experiences of these rituals from the participants' perspective, considering diverse family structures and socio-cultural contexts.