The Medical Experience and the Living situation of Older Women under the Pressure of Producing a Male Heir

• Main Authors: Se-Lin Chiang, 蔣瑟玲
• Other Authors: Chang-hsiung Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/44293421192602711445

碩士 === 南華大學 === 生死學研究所 === 93 === 　　The purpose of this research is to examine the medical experience and living situation of older women under the pressure of producing a male heir. The objective is to understand the emotional states of older women seeking to produce a male child, their medical experience during pregnancy, and how they deal with their living situation. The goal is to understand the motives and attitudes behind the need to foster a male child in these women and the inherent significance that such duty holds for these women. It is hoped that this study will assist medical staff in the care of pregnant women and tend to the needs and feelings of older pregnant women. The study also offers women an opportunity to express their true feelings and enable society to better understand how women under the influence of both traditional and modern cultures must respond and adjust to social standards as well as define their self worth and autonomy. 　 　　This is a qualitative study with data collected through in-depth interviews. A total of eleven interviewees have been interviewed. The following five findings have been obtained from analysis of the data collected: 　　I. Main category: the inner struggles of older women in the face of the duty to bear a male heir; sub-category: (1) swaying back and forth; (2) realizing the fact that she is an older woman. 　　II. Main category: cultural cage; sub-category: (1) the imprint of deep-rooted beliefs; (2) the myth of maternal duties and procreation; (3) the age-old problems between a woman and her mother-in-law. 　　III. Main category: distancing from life; sub-category: (1) the relationship between a woman and her mother-in-law; (2) the loss of sovereignty over one’s own body; (3) sacrifices and contributions; (4) warped spousal relationship. 　　IV. Main category: seeking and undergoing medical treatment; sub-category: (1) forced to give up – natural method of conception; (2) trying all available methods and fads. 　　V. Main category: the significance of the duty to bear a male heir; sub-category: (1) the human struggle – the tug of war between wanting and conceding; (2) the changing of beliefs; (3) the taste of success; (4) regret. 　 　　According to research findings, the beliefs of “bearing a male heir to carry on the family name” and “male chauvinism” are still very much widely a part of mainstream society. It is up to all of us to reform these beliefs from the old days and shape our value system. Otherwise, women will be forever trapped under the pressure of producing a male heir.