The social construction of male infertility: A qualitative questionnaire study of men with a male factor infertility diagnosis

Date

2019-11-27

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

1467-9566

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Although recent research has highlighted the distressing impact of infertility for men, fertility issues are still routinely seen as a ‘women’s issue’ – even when male factor infertility is highlighted. This paper reports findings from a qualitative questionnaire study focusing on a sample of men with a male factor infertility diagnosis; an under-researched and marginalised group in the context of reproductive medicine. Our analysis suggests that male factor infertility is viewed by men as a failure of masculinity, as stigmatising and silencing, and as an isolating and traumatic experience. It is also clear that these themes are shaped by wider societal discourses which present men as (unproblematically) fertile, uninvested in parenthood and stoic in their approach to emotional distress. Such norms also ensure that reproduction continues to be presented as a ‘women’s issue’ which burdens women and marginalises men. In understanding male factor infertility experiences, the damaging nature of the social construction of male fertility is then more clearly illuminated.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.

Keywords

Male infertility, Masculinity, Qualitative, Reproduction, Gender

Citation

Hanna, E., Gough, B. (2019) The social construction of male infertility: A qualitative questionnaire study of men with a male factor infertility diagnosis. Sociology of Health and Illness,

Rights

Research Institute