Locating ‘Childlessness’ in Narratives of Infertility Rural Women’s Life Realities in Context

Author(s) : Aneela Sultana,Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman Chaudhry

Abstract:

The article mainly deals with the perception and experiences of the infertile women. It highlights social consequences that arise due to their childlessness and reproductive failure. Data for this study comes from anthropological research tools primarily participant observation and in-depth interviews which were conducted with sixteen married infertile women in a village Choha Shah Ghareeb in Tehsil Hassan Abdal, District Attock. This anthropological study explains how infertility is perceived in a culture where motherhood is considered the most conventional way for married women to prove their worth by providing children which is highly valued for the establishment and continuation of the family. It also highlights how religious beliefs and fear of social stigma shape their perception of progeny and persuade them to adopt various strategies to fulfill their desires of having children. In short, this paper critically examines the construction of motherhood as a cultural category.