Maggie Kirkman

Adolescent sex and the romantic narrative: Why some young heterosexuals use condoms to prevent pregnancy but not disease

Abstract Young heterosexuals are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases as a result of their inconsistent use of condoms. When a condom is used it is more likely to be to avoid pregnancy than as protection from disease. In this paper, adolescent use of condoms is theorized within the canonical narrative of romance, as one major factor in the social construction of love and sex. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 57 young women and men (aged 16–18 years) in Victoria, Australia. They interpreted their sexual relationships as part of the quest for love, in which women and men had different and well-defined roles to play. In particular, women were understood to value intimate relationships whereas men sought coitus as an end in itself. Discourses of heterosexuality, including the significance of a girls reputation and the need to accommodate the male sex drive, are linked by the explanatory plot of romance. It is argued that the use of condoms for contraception is consistent with a ...

Parents’ contributions to the narrative identity of offspring of donor-assisted conception

Donated sperm, eggs, and embryos are an increasing feature of assisted reproduction; people conceived in this way have different genetic and social histories. Although most offspring of donor-assisted conception are ignorant of their genetic history, recipient parents must negotiate increasing demand for full disclosure to offspring. This paper illustrates some of the reasons parents give for not telling their children, underlines the experience of many parents of being uncertain of how to go about telling, presents information from some parents who have endeavoured to be open with their children about conception from very early childhood, and discusses implications for the narrative identity of offspring of donor-assisted conception. Recipient parents (n=55) and offspring (12) from Australia; Canada, US, England, and Argentina were interviewed and subsequently consulted about the development of their narrative accounts and the way in which these have been interpreted. Parental narratives were found to be located along a continuum, broadly encompassing: (1). Parents who intend to exclude donor-assisted conception from the narratives they construct for their children, (2). parents who are uncertain about what they want to do, or confused about the best way to disclose and discuss donor conception with their children and (3). those have incorporated the donor in their childrens narratives from the beginning. From interviews with offspring and on the basis of human rights issues and the increasing salience of genetic knowledge, it is concluded that disclosure to offspring before adolescence should be encouraged.

Reasons women give for abortion: a review of the literature.

The aim was to identify from empirical research that used quantitative or qualitative methods the reasons women give for having an abortion. A search was conducted of peer-reviewed, English language publications indexed in eight computerized databases with publication date 1996–2008, using keywords ‘abortion’ and ‘reason’ (Medline: ‘induced abortion’ OR ‘termination of pregnancy’ OR ‘elective abortion’ and ‘reason’). Inclusion criteria were empirical research on humans that identified women’s reasons for undergoing an abortion, conducted in ‘high-income’ countries. 19 eligible papers were found. Despite variation in methods of generating, collecting, and analysing reasons, and the inadequacy of methodological detail in some papers, all contributed to a consistent picture of the reasons women give for having an abortion, with three main categories (‘Woman-focused’, ‘Other-focused’, and ‘Material’) identified. Ambivalence was often evident in women’s awareness of reasons for continuing the pregnancy, but abortion was chosen because continuing with the pregnancy was assessed as having adverse effects on the life of the woman and significant others. Women’s reasons were complex and contingent, taking into account their own needs, a sense of responsibility to existing children and the potential child, and the contribution of significant others, including the genetic father.

Being open with your mouth shut: The meaning of Openness' in family communication about sexuality

An Australian study of parent–adolescent communication about sexuality revealed complex meanings inherent in the understanding of ‘openness’. These included willingness to answer questions while not keeping a spotlight on the topic; having an open‐minded attitude; balancing openness with privacy; and being responsive to characteristics of the child. Various constraints applied to the application of open communication in this sensitive area. Given the range of meanings encompassed by ‘openness’, the authors recommend that social scientists limit their application of this term in the study of communication in families, and that sex educators take care to be more specific in recommending openness in communication about sexuality.

Disciplinary discourses: rates of cesarean section explained by medicine, midwifery, and feminism.

In the context of international concern about increasing rates of cesarean sections, we used discourse analysis to examine explanations arising from feminism and the disciplines of medicine and midwifery, and found that each was positioned differently in relation to the rising rates. Medical discourses asserted that doctors are authorities on birth and that, although cesareans are sometimes medically necessary, women recklessly choose unnecessary cesareans against medical advice. Midwifery discourses portrayed medicine as paternalistic toward both women and midwifery, and feminist discourses situated birth and womens bodies in the context of a patriarchally structured society. The findings illustrate the complex ways in which this intervention in birth is discursively constructed, and demonstrate its significance as a site of disciplinary conflict.

Egg and Embryo Donation and the Meaning of Motherhood

ABSTRACT As part of a larger study on donor-assisted conception, this paper reports research which explored the ways in which women who have donated or received eggs or embryos interpret such donations in the context of motherhood. Narrative analysis of womens accounts revealed that egg and embryo donations are not interpreted as incompatible with motherhood; that they may be explained as contributing to the significance of motherhood through the desire to assist some women to whom motherhood has been denied; and that the welfare of offspring of donated eggs and embryos is considered by donors. Differences were found between the meanings of egg donation and embryo donation, including likening eggs to cells and embryos to children, and in donors the expression of stronger maternal connection to the offspring of donated embryos. These accounts reveal individual variation, complexity, and change, reflecting (among other things) the dynamic process of narrative revision.

Freeing up the subject: tension between traditional masculinity and involved fatherhood through communication about sexuality with adolescents

An Australian study of communication among young people aged 12-14 and their parents suggested an explanation for difficulties experienced by fathers in communicating about sexuality with their children: Namely, the positioning of fathers within the discourses of both traditional masculinity and involved fatherhood. These incompatible subject positions frequently led to problems, confusion, or withdrawal from overt communication about sexuality. In-depth interviews were conducted with 51 people (19 adolescents, 18 mothers and 14 fathers) from 19 families. Parents discussed experiences of communicating about sexuality during their childhood as well as in their current families, allowing insight into at least three generations. In spite of the dominance of traditional masculinity, there was evidence that fathers struggled also to position themselves as men who valued relationships and endorsed co-operation between the sexes. This paper highlights barriers to increased connection and intimacy for fathers who appear to desire such relationships with their children.

THINKING OF SOMETHING TO SAY: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NARRATIVES OF INFERTILITY

Autobiographical narratives of infertility are situated in both the private and public domains, particularly since the advent of assisted reproductive technology. Narratives of infertility told by 31 Australian women reveal that the tension between the public and the private is an uncomfortable one for the narrators. Infertile women must deal not only with the blow inflicted by infertility to their sense of self, but also with the difficulties of presenting a simple and coherent life story in the social world. The women expressed resentment at the public expectation that they should justify their desire to become mothers. Infertility support groups play a role in the construction and dissemination of a public narrative of infertility that is not pathological.

Women's experiences of endometriosis: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research

Background Endometriosis is experienced by approximately 10% of women worldwide; it is associated with significant burden on the woman, her family, and society. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available qualitative literature to increase our understanding of the effects of endometriosis on womens lives. Methods Seven social science and medical databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PsycInfo and Embase) and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed papers published in English of research using qualitative methods. Results and conclusions Eighteen papers reporting 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Participant numbers ranged from 15 to 61 women, all recruited from support groups and specialised clinics. Studies were conducted in high-income, Anglophone countries. The review identified four prominent themes: Life, Symptoms, Medical Experience, and Self. Womens reported experiences demonstrated opportunities for enhancing current clinical practice, including improved education about endometriosis for health professionals, the need to take a comprehensive approach to pain treatment, and initiating appropriate discussion of the impact on sex life. Significant evidence gaps were identified: there was inadequate investigation of womens experiences of endometriosis-associated infertility and of the impact of reduced social participation on perceived support and emotional well-being, and limited or no inclusion of the experiences of adolescent and post-menopausal women, women from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women who do not identify as Caucasian, and non-heterosexual women.

Women's reflections on fertility and motherhood after breast cancer and its treatment.

Breast cancer and its treatment have complex ramifications for women of reproductive age, including reduced fertility. With the aim of increasing understanding of what it means to women to manage fertility and motherhood in the years after a diagnosis of breast cancer, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 women aged 26-45 years, living in Victoria, Australia, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer aged 25-41. Transcripts were analysed thematically and interpreted within narrative theory. Six themes linking breast cancer to fertility and motherhood were identified: diagnosis as a pivotal life event, robbed of time and choice, significance of fertility, being a mother, narrative justification, and life after breast cancer treatment. Women without children described a preoccupying sorrow about lost fertility. Womens accounts yielded evidence of narrative meaning-making, including justifying their decisions and actions in relation to survival, treatment and fertility, and coping with adversity by developing consoling plots. Breast cancer, fertility and reproductive health are inter-linked in diverse ways which have immediate and long-term consequences. Even if women are receiving optimum fertility management, it is evident that some women of reproductive age will need continuing post-cancer care to manage and ameliorate ramifications of diminished or lost fertility.Breast cancer and its treatment have complex ramifications for women of reproductive age, including reduced fertility. With the aim of increasing understanding of what it means to women to manage fertility and motherhood in the years after a diagnosis of breast cancer, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 women aged 26–45 years, living in Victoria, Australia, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer aged 25–41. Transcripts were analysed thematically and interpreted within narrative theory. Six themes linking breast cancer to fertility and motherhood were identified: diagnosis as a pivotal life event, robbed of time and choice, significance of fertility, being a mother, narrative justification, and life after breast cancer treatment. Women without children described a preoccupying sorrow about lost fertility. Womens accounts yielded evidence of narrative meaning-making, including justifying their decisions and actions in relation to survival, treatment and fertility, and coping with adversity by developing consoling plots. Breast cancer, fertility and reproductive health are inter-linked in diverse ways which have immediate and long-term consequences. Even if women are receiving optimum fertility management, it is evident that some women of reproductive age will need continuing post-cancer care to manage and ameliorate ramifications of diminished or lost fertility.