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Motherhood? : stories of decision

University of British Columbia

Six women participated in this qualitative study investigating how unpartnered women in their early 30’s negotiate the decision of whether or not to pursue motherhood within the context of their life circumstances. Previous research has largely focused on fertility intentions and decision-making processes of married women, and/or those whose ages are within the expected reproduction time frame. This research supports the limited, recent qualitative literature highlighting the experiences of women facing biological pressures, along with influences presented within the circumstances of their lives. Narrative methodology provided the structure for this study and participants were encouraged to share their parenthood decision-making stories with guidance from open-ended questions when necessary. The in-depth narratives of these participants generated several common thematic threads: Relationships (romantic and otherwise); a sense of personal agency; family and peer influences; career and financial influences; a sense of readiness; biological pressures; research, and community support. Findings from this research supports that the parenthood decision can be particularly complicated and confusing for women who are unpartnered in their early 30’s, not only due to their relationship status, but because of competing pressures, ambitions and demands. The stories shared by these participants also reflect the non-linear decision-making process and supports that the decision is based on events and experiences encountered throughout their life journeys. Mental health practitioners can invariably learn from this research, especially when assisting women who are negotiating parenthood while in their early 30’s. Further qualitative and quantitative research could substantiate and add to these findings by deepening the identified thematic threads or capturing additional thematic threads identified by diverse groups of women.

Text

2012-10-17

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/43430

Counselling Psychology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/