A Study of the Course of Motherhood of and the Social Support for Elderly Primiparae

• Main Authors: Ya-Lei Hsiung, 熊雅蕾
• Other Authors: 陳燕禎
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/71182003992672435166

碩士 === 元智大學 === 資訊社會學研究所 === 97 === This study investigates the causes behind a delayed reproductive activity of the advanced maternal age and their fertility motivation. It also analyzes, on one hand, the difficulties elderly primiparae encounter during pregnancy, reproduction and child-raising and, on the other, social support they receive that have helped them to build up motherhood during the course. Based on qualitative research methodology, the author interviews totally 16 career women who are also elderly primiparae from the north in depth and collects significant data from these interactions. The study may be concluded as followed. First, a late marriage is the main cause behind an advanced maternal age, while other causes include personal life planning, challenging impregnation, psychological decision-making, family, finance and career. Second, positive fertility motivation drives women to bear children even after the age of 34; nevertheless, factors such as age and physical strength make the advanced maternal age fail to meet the ideal standard of giving birth to two children. Third, during the course of motherhood, elderly primiparae worry about the following six problems: her own age (whether she is too old to bear a child), the baby’s health, numerous prenatal examinations, the physical weakness during pregnancy, the huge age-gap between the mother and the child, and physical strength demanded for raising a child. Fourth, also during the course of motherhood, elderly primiparae enjoy the following advantages including greater patience and maturity for the role of a mother, a secured finance situation, fully-prepared mindset and rich life experiences, and they also value more a life with children and the practical opinions given by age-like experienced friends. Fifth, both formal and informal social supports provide elderly primiparae with emotional, physical and information assistance, which help them to build up a solid motherhood during the entire course as members of the advanced maternal age. Sixth, although the advanced maternal age may also enjoy the course of motherhood as responsible mothers, it is still advisable for women to be married and bear children before the most appropriate age of thirty. Based on abovementioned conclusions, the author suggests that women should marry and reproduce before the age of 30 so as to avoid the worries of elderly primiparae. Likewise, the government should also promote the idea of an appropriate marriageable and reproductive age and provide pregnant women with more social welfare in order to encourage the public to grow a stronger fertility motivation.