A Feminist Analysis of Women's Experiences With Infertility: Examining the Roles of Leisure and Conceptualizations of Family
Parry, Diana Catharine
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/85998
Description
Title
A Feminist Analysis of Women's Experiences With Infertility: Examining the Roles of Leisure and Conceptualizations of Family
Author(s)
Parry, Diana Catharine
Issue Date
2003
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Shinew, Kimberly J.
Department of Study
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Discipline
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Women's Studies
Language
eng
Abstract
Consequently, through in-depth interviews with 32 women, I sought to address the cultural contexts of a woman's experiences with infertility by developing a framework of stages that some women with infertility may experience. Within this framework, I had two main research questions. First, what roles does leisure play in the lives of women experiencing infertility? Leisure was found to be context for women to buffer or resist pronatalist ideology, thus enabling them to cope with infertility. In addition, given the social nature of leisure it was also an arena in which women are confronted their infertility and as a result, constrained. My second research question examined a woman's conceptualizations of family. Specifically, in what ways did a woman's conceptualization of family develop or change throughout her lifecourse with infertility? Women who successfully conceived expressed a greater appreciation for their children and family life in general. Those who did not conceive expressed a broadening of the conceptualization.
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