Misconception

Social Class and Infertility in America

Ann V. Bell

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English

Rutgers University Press
02 September 2014

Social classes; Gender studies: women; Sociology: birth

Series: Families in Focus

Despite the fact that, statistically, women of low socioeconomic status (SES) experience greater difficulty conceiving children, infertility is generally understood to be a wealthy, white woman's issue. In Misconception, Ann V. Bell overturns such historically ingrained notions of infertility by examining the experiences of poor women and women of color. These women, so the stereotype would have it, are simply too fertile. The fertility of affluent and of poor women is perceived differently, and these perceptions have political and social consequences, as social policies have entrenched these ideas throughout U.S. history.

Through fifty-eight in-depth interviews with women of both high and low SES, Bell begins to break down the stereotypes of infertility and show how such depictions consequently shape women's infertility experiences. Prior studies have relied solely on participants recruited from medical clinics-a sampling process that inherently skews the participant base toward wealthier white women with health insurance.

In comparing class experiences, Misconception goes beyond examining medical experiences of infertility to expose the often overlooked economic and classist underpinnings of reproduction, family, motherhood, and health in contemporary America.

Watch a video with Ann V. Bell:

Watch video now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz7qiPyuyiM).

By: Ann V. Bell
Imprint: Rutgers University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 399g
ISBN: 9780813564807
ISBN 10: 0813564808
Series: Families in Focus
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 02 September 2014
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Further / Higher Education , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction: Conceiving Infertility 1 “That’s What I’m Supposed to Be”: Why Women Want to Mother 2 “I’m Good at the Job”: How Women Achieve “Good” Motherhood 3 “Getting Pregnant’s a Piece of Cake”: Trying to Mother 4 “I Just Always Thought Something Was Wrong”: The Lived Experience of Infertility 5 “Whatever Gets Me to the End Point”: Resolving Infertility 6 “So What Can You Do?”: Coping with Infertility 7 Conclusion: (Re)conceiving Infertility

ANN V. BELL is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Delaware.

Reviews for Misconception: Social Class and Infertility in America

Exceptionally well written and vigorously researched, Misconception challenges common understandings of infertility. Bell illustrates how stereotypes of who should be mothers affect women s infertility experiences and exacerbate ingrained social-class inequalities. Misconception is sociological research at its best a must read! --Theresa Morris author of Cut It Out: The C-Section Epidemic in America (04/08/2014)