Reproductive identity: An emerging concept.

Abstract

Deciding whether or not to become a parent is a developmental milestone in the adult life course yet the specific term of reproductive identity is not commonplace. Significant demographic shifts in fertility and the social ideals of self-realization have impacted how reproduction is performed and families are structured, particularly for women and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) communities. Like gender and sexuality, reproduction is a healthy aspect of human expression to be openly explored, destigmatized, and self-authored. This article will review relevant identity development theories and propose a preliminary definition for the emerging concept of reproductive identity. Implications for research, education, and counseling will be considered. Public Significance StatementThis article presents a new concept known as reproductive identity that mirrors preexisting models of human identity such as race, gender, and sexuality. Educators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers may use this novel term to explore how individuals realize parenthood or nonparenthood, develop their reproductive identity, and integrate it into their overall sense of self.

Rethinking adult development: Introduction to the special issue.

“…In sum, today's adulthood may or may not include parenthood, and today's parenthood may or may not include marriage. In the special issue, Aurelie Athan (2020) offers a new concept of reproductive identity to represent the diverse ways adults today choose whether, when, and in what interpersonal context to have children.…”

“…Regarding family, further changes are likely in both marriage and parenthood, as the articles by Athan (2020) and by Buhler and Nikitin (2020) discuss in the special issue. Traditionally, marriage has been a bond “’til death do us part” in most cultures.…”

“…Although children are no longer an economic asset but an economic liability in many cultural contexts, most people entering adulthood today in developed countries seek to have children for the emotional and relational rewards (Kaufmann & Wilcox, 2015). Nevertheless, as Athan (2020) discusses in the special issue, the options that adults have for developing their reproductive identities have expanded greatly in recent decades and include the choice to remain child-free.…”

The transition to parenthood in obstetrics: enhancing prenatal care for 2-generation impact

“…Both periods are transitional, marked by disequilibrium and iterative developmental adaptation, learning, and resiliency. 17,90,91 Recent brain MRI research following female adolescents, first-time pregnant-to-postpartum women, and never-pregnant women for 2 years found that both the adolescents and pregnant-to-postpartum women show comparable reductions in cerebral gray matter and decreases in cortical thickness compared with minimal difference in the never-pregnant group. 91 Elicited by hormonal fluctuations and the evolving role of parenting, these changes reflect neurocognitive adaptations and the brain's plasticity and also indicate increased vulnerability to pathologic alterations.…”

Iskustvo Tranzicije U Majčinstvo I Promjene Okupacijskog Životnog Stila Mladih Majki

“…Rezultati su organizirani primjenom tematske analize koja je iznjedrila pet glavnih tema i deset podtema. Glavne teme obuhvaćaju: (1) Početak tranzicije u majčinstvo, (2) Preuzimanje uloge majke, (3) Novi stil života, (4) Stavovi okoline prema mladim majkama i (5) Otežavajući i olakšavajući čimbenici tijekom i nakon trudnoće. Preuzimanje uloge majke je za svaku sudionicu bio individualan proces koji je pratio brojne emocionalne promjene, kao i konflikte uloga.…”