'The impact of male involuntary childlessness' (original) (raw)
Involuntarily childless men and the desire for fatherhood
Reference as: Hadley, R. A. & Hanley, T. S. (2011). Involuntarily childless men and the desire for fatherhood. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 29(1), 56-68., 2011
Objective: This study aims to explore the experience of childless men and the desire for fatherhood. Background: There is little research exploring the desire for fatherhood, with most studies concentrating on couples in infertility treatment. Of those, the majority focus on the women’s experience, a factor that may reflect the gender stereotype and cultural identification of childlessness to women. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted. A convenience sample of 10 biologically childless men were recruited through the snowball method and interviewed individually. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were then analysed using Grounded Theory. Results: A core category, ‘Lifescape’s of childless men: enduring anticipation and expectation in an uncharted world’, divided into three meta themes: Emotive Forces, Extant Agency, and Life Course. The desire for parenthood appeared to peak in the 30s, gradually reduced, but did not cease. The participants also revealed a sense of ‘outsiderness’ in familial, social, and work relationships. Conclusion: Involuntarily childless men reported similar experiences to those in, or who have had, infertility treatment. These included a sense of loss, depression, exclusion, isolation, and risk‐taking behaviour. Over the life course the men also found ways to adapt and reappraise their beliefs concerning themselves emotionally, psychologically and socially. To help understand this process, gender‐role therapy is presented as a possible approach for working with childless men.
'Navigating in an Uncharted World: How does the Desire for Fatherhood affect Men?'
Reference as: Hadley, R. A. (2009). Navigating in an Uncharted World: How does the desire for fatherhood affect men? MSc Dissertation, The University of Manchester, Manchester.
This self-funded MSc study originated from a previous qualitative study into the issues surrounding involuntarily childless men. That study indicated that involuntary childlessness affected men's behaviour, mental health, relationships, and identity. The results reflected
‘No longer invincible’: the impact of involuntary childlessness on older men
Physical Therapy Reviews, 2021
The global trend of declining fertility rates and an increasingly ageing population has led to increased scrutiny of parenthood. Although there are more childless men than childless women, there is very little research literature on the impact of male childlessness. The childless are absent from much social science literature, which has mainly focussed on family and women. Feminist studies into infertility and ageing have highlighted the absence of the male experience. Involuntary childlessness has been viewed as a complex bereavement formed by multiple losses. Distress levels in both men and women in this population have been found to be as high those with grave medical conditions. Objectives The aim of this study was to examine older men?s experience of involuntary childlessness. Methods This piece draws on my qualitative auto/biographical doctoral study that was framed by biographical, life course, gerontological, and feminist approaches. Data collection involved in-depth semi-structured biographical interviews with 14 self-defined involuntary childless men aged between 49 and 82?years from across the United Kingdom. A latent thematic analysis highlighted the complex intersections between agency, biology, childlessness, economics, mental and physical health, relationships, and socio-cultural structures. Major findings Findings countered the stereotype that men are not interested in reproduction. I argue that that involuntary childlessness should be considered as a significant factor in older men's poor health and social capital. Conclusions This piece challenges the common narratives that the social, emotional, and relational aspects of involuntary childlessness do not affect men.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Involuntarily childless men and the desire for fatherhood
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
Objective: This study aims to explore the experience of childless men and the desire for fatherhood. Background: There is little research exploring the desire for fatherhood, with most studies concentrating on couples in infertility treatment. Of those, the majority focus on the women’s experience, a factor that may reflect the gender stereotype and cultural identification of childlessness to women. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted. A convenience sample of 10 biologically childless men were recruited through the snowball method and interviewed individually. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were then analysed using Grounded Theory. Results: A core category, ‘Lifescape’s of childless men: enduring anticipation and expectation in an uncharted world’, divided into three meta themes: Emotive Forces, Extant Agency, and Life Course. The desire for parenthood appeared to peak in the 30s, gradually reduced, but did not cease. The participants also revealed ...
The lived experience of older involuntary childless men
The Annual Journal of the British Sociological Association Study Group on Auto/Biography, 2018
The implications of the global trend of declining fertility rates and an increasingly ageing population have been extensively reported. This piece examines the complex intersections between men's experience of involuntary childlessness and agency, structure, and relationships. Childless men are, compared to women, missing from gerontological, sociological, infertility, and psychological research. These fields have mainly focussed on family and women. Feminist studies into infertility and ageing have highlighted the absence of the male experience. Involuntary childlessness has been viewed as a complex bereavement formed by multiple losses. Distress levels in both men and women in this population have been found to be as high those with grave medical conditions. This piece draws on my doctoral study framed by biographical, life course, gerontological and feminist approaches. I explore the factors that influenced the 14 participants' routes to involuntary childlessness. Findings countered the stereotype that fatherhood is not important to men and challenges research that reports that men are not affected by the social, emotional, and relational aspects of involuntary childlessness. I will offer how my research has influenced my own identity.
Male Psychology: The Magazine, 2022
“The large volume of academic literature and general media on motherhood highlights the small amount on fatherhood. Significantly, there is even less work on male involuntary childlessness and childlessness-by-circumstance.” “Men’s experience of involuntary childlessness has been marginalised, if not ignored almost entirely, in the research literature.” These quotes make the motivation for Dr Hadley’s work clear. Without question, for anyone interested in the experiences of childless men, this is a most valuable source. The dearth of research on the topic is recommendation enough. Based on Hadley’s doctoral study, the central focus of the book is the extensive set of interviews with fourteen childless men in later life. One of the factors which emerges is that such childless men consider themselves outsiders from the world of parents and families. It is worth noting, then, that Rob Hadley considers himself an insider to their world, as a self-defined involuntarily childless man.
Men leave me as I cannot have children': women's experiences with involuntary childlessness
Human Reproduction, 2002
BACKGROUND: This study explores the concerns and experiences related to involuntary childlessness of infertile women living in a diverse cultural urban community in South Africa. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 women seeking treatment for involuntary childlessness. Women were interviewed at the time of their first visit to an infertility clinic in a tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: All women verbalized intense emotions about their involuntary childlessness. In addition, a large number of women experienced negative social consequences including marital instability, stigmatization and abuse. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that infertility can have a serious effect on both the psychological well-being and the social status of women in the developing world. Furthermore, the study provides insight into the cultural context of involuntary infertility in South Africa. The delivery of good infertility care in a community requires awareness of the implications of infertility and insight into the context in which these occur. Since many of the negative social implications of infertility are probably rooted in low status women in the developing world, effective intervention will ultimately require social, economical and political changes.
In the UK, nearly half of all cases of infertility involve a 'male-factor'. Yet, little empirical work has explored how men as men negotiate this terrain. Three interrelated concepts; 'hegemonic masculinity', 'embodied masculinity' and the linkages between 'masculinities' and male help-seeking, provide the theoretical framework that guided a qualitative study conducted with 22 men experiencing infertility. The paper explores men's propensity to delay their help-seeking in relation to infertility despite their desire for children. It also demonstrates how, in the context of infertility, the male body can be defined as both a failed entity in itself (unable to father a child) and a subordinated social entity (unable to measure up to hegemonic ideals) that characterises men's masculine identities. The paper also illustrates how men appear willing to accept responsibility for their infertility and adopt aspects of hitherto subordinate masculine practice. This does not, however, constitute the total unravelling of well understood and accepted expressions of masculinity. Finally, the paper demonstrates how infertility is perceived as having the potential to fracture current and even future relationships. Moreover, regardless of how well men measured up to other hegemonic ideals, ultimately they can do little to counteract the threat of other (fertile) men.
‘Point number one in your bloody PhD’: The experiences of involuntarily childless men as they age
"The global trend of an increasingly ageing population and a declining fertility rate has been widely accepted. Moreover, as men’s mortality rates are predicted to soon equal women’s, the gender profile of the UK’s ageing population is predicted to change. Childless men are, compared to women, missing from gerontological, sociological, infertility, and psychological research. These fields have all mainly focussed on family and women, with the fertility intentions, history and experience of older men being overlooked. Involuntary childlessness may be seen as a complex bereavement formed by multiple losses with distress levels in both men and women in this population have been found to be as high those with grave medical conditions This paper aims to provide some insight in to the experiences of involuntarily childless (older men. Drawing on 27 in-depth biographical interviews (lasting 1-5 hours) conducted with 14 men aged between 49 and 82 from across the country. This paper highlights the complex intersections between men’s experience of involuntary childlessness and agency, structure, and relationships. It was found there are diverse routes of entering involuntary childlessness of which interpersonal skills, partner selection, timing of relationships, and the assumption of fertility are important factors. The accounts also demonstrated the importance of relationships: the centrality of it to those in them and the desire for one for those not. Grand fatherhood was referenced through four routes: Latent, Adopted, Surrogate, and Proxy. This paper demonstrates how men’s involuntary childlessness affects their life course. "
Life without fatherhood : a qualitative study of older involuntarily childless men
2015
This thesis reveals the complexities in older men's experience of involuntary childlessness. Research literature on both involuntary childlessness and ageing has highlighted the paucity of material on men's experience. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the impact of childlessness on the lives of older, self-defined, involuntarily childless men. This qualitative study employed a pluralistic framework formed by life course, biographical, and gerontological approaches to explore the lives of 14 men, aged between 49 and 82 years. A broad thematic analysis was applied to the material, and the findings demonstrated the intersections between childlessness and ageing over the life course. Reproductive intentions were affected by many factors including the timing of exiting education, relationship formation and dissolution, and choice of partner. The men's attitude to fatherhood changed with age and centred on the theme of the 'social clock' that revealed the synergy between an individual and societal morès surrounding parenthood. The loss of the assumed father role and relationship ebbed and flowed throughout the men's lives in a form of complex bereavement. Awareness of feeling both a sense of 'outsiderness' and a fear of being viewed as a paedophile were widely reported. Quality of life was linked with current health, and ageing was strongly associated with loss of physical or mental functionality. This thesis supports the case for a biographical method of research drawing on a pluralistic framework. It challenges research that reports men are not affected by the social, emotional and relational aspects of involuntary childlessness. In addition, it adds to the debate between the concepts of 'emergent' and 'hegemonic' masculinities. Recommendations are made in the conclusion regarding the use of the findings for future research and policy.
Childlessness – psychological consequences of decisions taken while experiencing infertility
Polish Journal of Applied Psychology, 2016
The aim of this article is to present the results of original research into psychological consequences for women choosing intentional childlessness as a way of coping with infertility. The study included 87 women who decided to remain childless. Tools used in the study were: the original Attitudes towards Own Infertility Scale; the HDS-M Scale (Zigmond, Snaith); the original Scale for Assessment of Hope as an Emotional State; the Satisfaction with Life Scale SWLS (Diener et al.); the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (SES). Significant correlations were found between variables included in the study were found. The analysis comparing psychological variables with sociodemographic variables showed that only the length of time since diagnosis is related to the level of hope. The analysis comparing childless women with those undergoing infertility treatment revealed statistically significant differences in the level of acceptance of one’s infertility (higher in childless women) and in the perc...
Childlessness: Concept Analysis
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022
The purpose of this concept analysis is to explore childlessness and provide understanding to professionals involved in the field of infertility. Walker and Avant's method was used to identify descriptions, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of the concept. A model with related and contrary cases was developed. The analysis was based on the definition of the term in major dictionaries in the Greek, Lithuanian, Finnish, Maltese, and Turkish languages, while further literature searches utilized the Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, Medline, Google Scholar, and National Thesis Databases. The literature search was limited to papers/books published in the authors' national languages and English. As a result, childlessness is defined as the absence of children in the life of an individual, and this can be voluntary or involuntary. However, the deeper analysis of the concept may be preceded and amplified through cultural, psychological, biological, philosophical, theological, sociological, anthropological, and linguistic aspects throughout history. These elements presented challenges for childless individuals, ultimately influencing their choices to resort to alternative ways of becoming parents, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, adoption, or other forms of childbearing. Historically, childlessness has been viewed with negative connotations due to its potential impact on the survival of the human species. This negativity can be directed even to individuals who may decide to opt to voluntarily remain childfree. The long-term impact of the experience, both on an individual and collective level, continues to cause pain to those who are involuntarily childless. In conclusion, health professionals and other stakeholders who have a deep understanding of childlessness, including the antecedents and attributes, can minimize the potential negative consequences of those factors contributing to childlessness, whether voluntary or involuntary. In fact, they can capitalize on a powerful impact of change adaptation by providing support to those in their practice to recover the lost homeostasis.
Fertility and Sterility, 2010
Objective: To investigate attitudes toward parenthood, long-term life satisfaction, and health and well-being in men diagnosed as infertile. Design: A cross-sectional survey of a cohort of men 5 years after diagnosis of infertility. Setting: The andrology clinic at the Royal Women's Hospital Reproductive Services, Melbourne Australia. Patient(s): All men diagnosed at this center as infertile in 2001 and 2002. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Attitudes to parenthood (Meaning of Parenthood), quality of intimate relationship (Intimate Bonds Measure), personality characteristics (Vulnerable Personality Style Questionnaire), life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), and self-rated physical health (Physical Component Summary of SF-12 [PCS-12]) and relationship with mental health (Mental Component Summary of SF12 [MCS-12]).
Where are all the men? The marginalisation of men in social scientific research on infertility
2013
There is a wealth of research exploring the psychological consequences of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs); a substantial body of sociological and anthropological work on ‘reproductive disruptions’ of many kinds, and a small but growing literature on patient perspectives of the quality of care in assisted reproduction. In all these fields, research studies are far more likely to be focused on the understandings and experiences of women than those of men. This paper discusses reasons for the relative exclusion of men in what has been called the ‘psycho-social’ literature on infertility, comments on research on men from psychological and social perspectives and recent work on the quality of patient care, and makes suggestions for a re-framing of the research agenda on men and ARTs. Further research is needed in all areas including perceptions of infertility and infertility treatment seeking; experiences of treatment; information and support needs; decisions to end treatment; fatherhood post-assisted conception; the motivation and experiences of sperm donors and of men who seek fatherhood through surrogacy or co-parenting. We argue for multi-method, inter-disciplinary research that includes broader populations of men which can contribute to improved clinical practice and support for users of assisted reproductive technologies.
Life Outcomes of Childless Men and Fathers
European Sociological Review, 2009
Using data from the first wave of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (NKPS) for 1,451 men aged 40-59 we examine the impact of permanent childlessness. We extend on previous work by focusing on partnership history as a possible explanation for differences between childless men and fathers. Our results show that the impact of childlessness is weaker than we had expected. Many initial differences between childless men and fathers are attributable to differences in their partnership history. Nevertheless, childless men differ from resident fathers regarding their community involvement, their level of income and their satisfaction with life. Childless men differ from nonresident fathers with respect to their income and work hours. Theoretical and societal implications of our findings are discussed.
Where are all the men? The marginalization of men in social scientific research on infertility
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2013
There is a wealth of research exploring the psychological consequences of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs); a substantial body of sociological and anthropological work on 'reproductive disruptions' of many kinds, and a small but growing literature on patient perspectives of the quality of care in assisted reproduction. In all these fields, research studies are far more likely to be focused on the understandings and experiences of women than those of men. This paper discusses reasons for the relative exclusion of men in what has been called the 'psycho-social' literature on infertility, comments on research on men from psychological and social perspectives and recent work on the quality of patient care, and makes suggestions for a re-framing of the research agenda on men and ARTs. Further research is needed in all areas including perceptions of infertility and infertility treatment seeking; experiences of treatment; information and support needs; decisions to end treatment; fatherhood post-assisted conception; the motivation and experiences of sperm donors and of men who seek fatherhood through surrogacy or coparenting. We argue for multi-method, inter-disciplinary research that includes broader populations of men which can contribute to improved clinical practice and support for users of assisted reproductive technologies.
Psychological and social aspects of male infertility in a male dominated society
Journal of Social and Evolutionary Systems, 1998
Three groups of Iranian men (male cause, female cause, and control)were given the translated versions of Beck's Depression and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories, together with questionnaires on social interaction and attitudes towards having children. The inventories and questionnaires were administered at a pre-diagnosis stage and six months (follow-up) into their medical treatment. Also, the spouses of the above men completed a questionnaire on their partner's dominance in the household at both the above stages. The results showed significant anxiety for the two clinical groups at both the initial and follow-up stages. The depression scores tended to increase significantly for the male infertile group at the follow-up stage. There was also a clear lack of social interest and loss of control at the household level for the latter group. The implications of these findings are discussed.