Tragedy of Infertile Women of Hindu Society; Study of Middle Class Family of Kathmandu

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XII, December 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

In-service Teacher Training Programs in Libya: EFL Teachers’ Perceptions and Training Efficiency

Bishnu Prasad Dahal, Ph. D.

Anthropology, Patan Multiple Campus, Patan Dhoka, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract:- Infertility is perceived as only a medical problem in Nepalese society and there are no formal data of infertility. It is also a social problem in our society as cultural customs and perceived religious dictums may equate infertility with failure on a personal, interpersonal, or social level. It is imperative that people have adequate knowledge about infertility so couples can seek timely medical care and misconceptions can be rectified. In this paper the aim of this article is to assess the knowledge, perception and myths regarding infertility prevailing among middle class family of Kathmandu.
Ethnographic study was carried out in Kathmandu by interviewing a sample of 30 women who were accompanying the patients at three fertility centers in Kathmandu. They were interviewed in consultation with infertility specialists. The appropriate knowledge of infertility was found very poor amongst the participants. 40% of respondents identified the infertility is a pathological and only 60% knew about the fertile period in women’s cycle. Uses of emergency pills, late marriage, isolation of couples due to migrations etc are the causes of infertility were found during the study. Despite these, cultural beliefs, traditions, religious faith, myths etc are also found the important causes of infertility was found in study. Beliefs in cultural factors like evil forces and supernatural powers as a cause of infertility are also still prevalent especially amongst respondents though they are educated. Knowledge about infertility is limited in the population and a lot of misconceptions and myths are prevalent in the society. Alternative medicine is a popular option for seeking infertility treatment. The cultural and religious perspective about assisted reproductive technologies is unclear, which has resulted in its reduced acceptability.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitudes, perception, myths, infertility, infertility treatment

1. Introduction

Globally, motherhood is valorized as a milestone of adulthood for women (Riessman, 2002). In certain societies, an environment of pronatalism prevails, even with changing ideas around marriage, family forms and the economy and the relationships, social attributes, cultural patterns including produce and reproduce of offspring and values associated with it is to marry and reproduce, and any postponement in this phase of life is tolerated as a temporary delay rather than accepted as a permanent choice (Riessman, 2002). It is demonstrated that social interaction influences the regulation of fertility, and as such argues that reproductive matters ought to be analyzed in the context of the broader societal structure rather than fertility behavior only in which they occur (Agadjanian, 2001). It is found that children are constructed as socio-economic symbols of value for the family, and as symbols of “group continuity, strength, pride and honor” (Feldman-Savelsberg, 1994) for the kin group and for the community as a whole.

Read More