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Mazing: infertile couples and the quest for a child
Image--The Journal of Nursing Scholarship
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Infertile couples navigate parenthood through adoption or biotechnical means via "mazing," a complex process integrating their experiences. This involves pursuit calculus, distinct patterns, and reframing desire.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Infertility presents significant challenges for couples seeking biological or adopted children.
- Existing research often overlooks the unique journey of infertile couples pursuing parenthood through non-traditional means.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the transition to parenthood for infertile couples using adoption or biotechnical methods.
- To identify and define
- mazing
- as a central concept integrating these couples' experiences.
Main Methods:
- Grounded theory research methodology.
- Theoretical sampling of 40 infertile couples.
- Data collection through open-ended interviews, constant comparison, and subject validation.
Main Results:
- Identified
- mazing
- as a recursive, iterative, and resource-intensive process.
- Mazing encompasses the construction of a "calculus of pursuit," six distinctive pursuit patterns, and the reframing of desire.
- Mazing serves as the core variable integrating the experiences of infertile couples.
Conclusions:
- The theory of mazing provides a framework for understanding the complex journey to parenthood for infertile couples.
- Recognizing and understanding mazing can inform support systems and interventions for these families.