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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Childlessness in Nigeria: perceptions and acceptability
Culture, Health and Sexuality, Volume 16, No. 1, Year 2014
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Description
Childlessness has major psychological and social implications for affected persons, especially in settings where fertility is highly valued. While a number of studies have documented how childlessness is perceived in these societies and the multitude of adverse consequences suffered by affected individuals, studies have not made a clear distinction between voluntary and involuntary childlessness in these settings. Using focus-group discussions from three Nigerian communities, this study explores societal perception and acceptance of childlessness in Nigeria, focusing on both voluntary and involuntary childlessness. Findings show that not having children, whether voluntarily or not, contributes to a kind of invisibility and poverty in Nigeria. Regardless of the reason, voluntary childlessness evoked strong negative feelings among discussants. The study also shows the broad definition given to voluntary childlessness in Nigeria as including individuals that are childless because they chose to stay with an infertile partner and also those who could not have biological children and chose not to adopt. Childlessness is not yet embraced in Nigeria, where pronatalist culture is still very strong. However, the study noted a more tolerant attitude to involuntary childlessness, suggesting possible changes in perceptions of the condition. Policy and programme implications of the findings are discussed. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
Authors & Co-Authors
Ibisomi, Latifat D.G.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Mudege, Netsayi Noris
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Royal Tropical Institute - Kit
Statistics
Citations: 47
Authors: 2
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1080/13691058.2013.839828
ISSN:
13691058
e-ISSN:
14645351
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
Nigeria