Using feminist sociology as a theoretical approach in examining issues concerning reproductive technologies
Date
1992
Authors
Nygaard, Vicki Leanne
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Abstract
This thesis examines issues surrounding ten new reproductive technologies from a feminist sociological perspective. The technologies are alternative ("artificial") insemination, donation, cryopreservation, embryo transfer, parthenogenesis, 'in vitro' fertilization, sex preselection, contract ("surrogate") motherhood, the artificial womb, and the RU-486 pill. Details of the new reproductive technologies are presented along with advantages, disadvantages, and social implications.
At the outset of this thesis an empirical study was undertaken. Thirty two informants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their knowledge and attitudes concerning the ten reproductive technologies. These people were viewed as potential policymakers regarding policy decisions on reproductive technologies in British Columbia. Of particular interest were the survey participants attitudes regarding women's roles in the decision making processes. It was discovered that these informants feel nearly everyone should have input into decisions concerning all but two of the technologies (parthenogenesis and artificial womb technology). After an examination of the focuses of feminist sociological theory, it was apparent that a more socially relevant approach was needed.
Feminist sociological theory, following Lengermann and Niebrugge- Brantley's (1988) 'gender oppression' theoretical view, claims to have (1) a particular mode of dialectical thinking, (2) a macrosociological model of social organization, (3) an examination of the relational situation of women which alters traditional understandings of micro interactions, and (4) a revised model of subjectivity within sociology. Within the context of this theoretical perspective, it was hypothesized that there would be differences in attitudes about rating, funding, access, and policy issues for the ten technologies based on sex.
Frequencies and cross tabulations by the sex of the informant are reported for each question. Contrary to the hypothesis, the results of the survey indicate that the education level of the informant, not the sex, is the better and more often statistically significant predictor of attitudes regarding reproductive technologies. These results are not, however, discussed by level of education here as sex was the variable of theoretical interest. It is likely that sex, age, marital status, education level, religiosity, and number of children are intercorrelated. Further statistical analyses, while beyond the scope of this thesis, could be run to differentiate the effects of these variables from each other. The focus of this thesis shifted from empirical to theoretical with the emphasis now on the feminist sociological approach to research. The above study of informants is discussed in that light. The paper ends with a brief discussion of the benefits of a feminist sociological approach to research which, in short, urges researchers to include the goal of social action and/or social change on their research agendas.
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UN SDG 5: Gender Equality