Home
Scholarly Works
The Stigma of Involuntary Childlessness*
Journal article

The Stigma of Involuntary Childlessness*

Abstract

In this paper, I analyze the stigma associated with involuntary childlessness and compare the perceptions and behavior of physically infertile women and physically fertile women who are involuntarily childless. I also consider information management strategies developed to offset this stigma. These strategies include selective concealment, therapeutic and preventive disclosure, medical disclaimers, deviance avowal, and a process of practiced deception. I conclude that, although physically infertile women feel more stigmatized, physically fertile women manage information more actively to protect their husbands from the stigma associated with sexual dysfunction. Theoretically, I suggest that these women self-label infertility as discreditable or stigmatizing apart from any formal or informal response.

Authors

Miall CE

Journal

Social Problems, Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 268–282

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication Date

April 1, 1986

DOI

10.2307/800719

ISSN

0037-7791
View published work (Non-McMaster Users)

Contact the Experts team