Infertility Essay

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Cross culturally fertility and childbearing are a major concern due to the significance of passing on heritage, family names, and values to the next generation. Additionally, in many cultures the children are responsible for the care of their parents when they become elderly. Infertility is a universal concern in both Western and developing countries. It is estimated that up to 168 million people across the globe are affected with infertility. The bulk of these cases reside within developing countries (Vayena & Rowe, 2002). When couples are having trouble conceiving a child it is a source of distress for both partners (Helman, 2007, p. 176). This distress can be manifested in a variety of ways that adversely affect the family structure.
To discuss the concept of infertility, it needs to be understood in the context of each individual culture. The World Health Organization advises the definition of infertility be 24 months of unprotected sex without conception (Whitehouse & Hollos, 2014, p.124). However, some cultures define infertility as having too few children, not conceiving soon after marriage, etc. It is evident that there is a gap between the medical definition and some cultural definitions of infertility. According to Whitehouse and Hollos (2014), social organization and kinship formed the definition and experience of infertility within two of the Nigerian communities they studied. For example, in the community of the Amakiri, the birth of a child is important to the status of a woman amongst the other women. Until a woman gives birth she is unable to partake in the “women’s association meetings”, a major social opportunity. Therefore, the women deemed infertile by the community are are socially isolated from the other wo...

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...inic. The couple explicitly said that in vitro fertilization and adoption are against their beliefs. While this leaves little options for the doctor, he acted as though they had not said anything and attempted to promote in vitro. I could see the trust was gone. Therefore, I think that clinicians need to learn about other cultures views are on conception as well as emphasize basic communication skills. Perhaps a seminar or a workshop could be held to explore cross-cultural beliefs. Also, talk with them about acknowledging the patient’s views, explaining theirs, and compromising. Furthermore, when talking to the patient’s physicians need to remember to address the couple not the woman. This was something I had witnessed even when the man was the one with the issue. By only addressing the woman, the clinician is insinuating that it is the woman’s responsibility.

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