Resumo

TRINDADE, Zeidi Araújo  e  ENUMO, Sônia Regina Fiorim. Social representations of feminine infertility among married and single women . Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2001, vol.2, n.2, pp.5-26. ISSN 1645-0086.

This paper discusses results of research objectifying the investigation of social representations of feminine infertility, among women of different social layers. We interviewed 180 women, with ages varying between 18 and 40, half of them residents of low-income neighbour hoods and the other half residents of neighbour hoods considered middle-class. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups: (a) 30 married women, with at least one biological child; (b) 30 women married for at least a year, without children; (c) 30 single women, without children. For data collection the technique of free association was utilized, the generating expression being "woman who can’t have children". Specific questions on the subject of interest were also asked. The data showed as main elements of the representational field sadness, incomplete, frustration, pressure from others, loneliness, inferior person, adoption, search for solutions and not a problem, reaffirming the permanence of the conception of infertility as a stigmatizing condition for the woman.

Palavras-chave : Female infertility; Maternity; Social representations.

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