Reproductive Bodylore: the role of vernacular knowledge in contraceptive decision making.

A lot of what we know about the body is communicated informally, through conversations with friends, with family, and with our wider social network. Informal narratives about contraception cross several folkloric genres - personal experience narratives, popular belief, contemporary legend and ‘friend of a friend’ stories. These narratives are important because they can reveal much about everyday understandings of health and the body, including perceived risk and risk-behaviours. The Reproductive Bodylore project explores how vernacular knowledge can influence contraceptive choices and mediates experiences of reproductive control. Reporting on this interdisciplinary project I discuss the usefulness of folklore for viewing public health issues in a new and novel way. I also outline our pathways to impact and public engagement activities.