Abstract
Our aim in this chapter is to reflect on the relationships between gender, identity and reproduction in relation to what we have and have not been able to achieve within this book. In sum, all of the chapters within this collection demonstrate some of the complexities of human reproduction and reproductive experiences. Furthermore, they highlight how taking a gendered perspective leads us to further challenge traditional discourses and practices. As Doyal (1998:9) suggests, recognizing the impact of gender does not just mean acknowledging biological differences because:
however seriously we take the biological differences between the sexes, this can provide only a partial picture of the impact of femaleness and maleness on health and illness. Gender or social differences also have an important role and need equally careful exploration.
Here we have attempted to add to the growing body of work engaged in such an exploration.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
H. Afshar and M. Maynard (eds), The Dynamics of ‘Race’ and Gender: Some Feminist Interventions (London: Taylor & Francis, 1994).
E. Annandale and J. Clark, ‘What is gender? Feminist theory and the sociology of human reproduction’, Sociology of Health and Illness, 18:1 (1996) 17–44.
M. Bola, ‘Questions of legitimacy?: The fit between researcher and researched’, in S. Wilkinson and C. Kitzinger (eds), Representing the Other: A Feminism and Psychology Reader (London: Sage, 1996).
C. Di Stephano, ‘Dilemmas of difference: Feminism, modernity and postmodernism’, in L. Nicholson (ed.), Feminism/Postmodernism (London: Routledge, 1990).
J. Douglas, ‘Meeting the health needs of women from black and minority ethnic communities’, in L. Doyal (ed.), Women and Health Care Services (Buckingham: Open University, 1998).
L. Doyal (ed.), Women and Health Care Services (Buckingham: Open University, 1998).
J. Hearn and D. Morgan (eds), Men, Masculinities and Social Theories (London: Unwin Hyman, 1990).
S. Jacobs, R. Jacobson and J. Marchbank (eds), States of Conflict: Gender, Violence and Resistance (London: Zed, 2000).
S. Laws, Issues of Blood: The Politics of Menstruation (Hampshire: Macmillan, 1990)
L. Mason, Male Infertility: Men Talking (London: Routledge, 1993).
L. Meerabeau, ‘Parents in waiting: Subfertility as a blocked status passage’, Paper presented to BSA (British Sociological Association) Annual Conference. (Manchester University: April 1989).
H. Mizra, Young, Female and Black (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1992).
J. H. Monach, Childless No Choice — The experience of involuntary childlessness (London: Routledge, 1993).
D. Morgan, ‘Men, masculinity and the process of sociological inquiry’, in H. Roberts (ed.), Doing Feminist Research (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1981).
C. Ramazanoglu, On Feminist Methodology: Male reason versus female empowerment, Sociology, 26 (1992) 207–212.
S. Wilkinson and C. Kitzinger (eds), Representing the Other: A Feminism and Psychology Reader (London: Sage, 1996).
Women’s Health and Information Centre, What Does Reproductive Rights Mean? (London: WHIC, 1988).
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2003 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Earle, S., Letherby, G. (2003). Reflecting on Reproduction. In: Earle, S., Letherby, G. (eds) Gender, Identity & Reproduction. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230522930_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230522930_14
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-50829-7
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-52293-0
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)