The relational and moral aspects involved in social egg freezing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Social Sciences
Abstract
Current research on egg freezing is quantitative and medical in nature. A focus upon women's experiences, and how they negotiate their decisions to undergo the procedure, is a significant gap within the literature. A limited number of studies (Baldwin et al, 2015; Gorthi et al, 2010) have provided a quantitative analysis of the motivations and intentions of women who undertake egg freezing, offering a useful starting point for further research. To date, there is limited research within Sociology on this highly topical issue.
This project will focus on women's experiences of social egg freezing, paying particular attention to the relational nature of decision-making in terms of wider family and partner relationships as well as the moral dimensions embedded in these decisions. Wider relationships and personal circumstances are likely to shape women's considerations of freezing their eggs in key ways, because how actors behave is shaped by 'the others involved, and the relations they enjoy with those others' (Crossley, 2010). Inspired by the study of kinship in Sociology, this study views women's decisions to freeze their eggs not as singular, but as ones that 'are made in relation to others and not specifically in terms of their own...separate needs and desires' (Smart, 2011:17). In relation to the related practice of egg and sperm donation, Nordqvist and Smart (2014) have highlighted the usefulness of a relational approach by showing how reproduction and new medical technologies have deep ramifications not only for the individual, but also for the family and relationships in which they are embedded.
The study will also explore the moral dimensions embedded in these processes, and particularly how morality is understood in relation to the impact of (potential) decisions that egg freezing might have on wider relationships, society and the future child that might result. Relationships are inevitably influenced by morality, as some actors can 'persuade and influence others by asserting the correctness of particular moral situations' (Mehta and Winship, 2010:434). The influence of those who are close to us have such a profound effect on decision-making because 'we wish to be seen as moral and morally accountable members of society' (May, 2013:45). The moral concerns of those around us are likely to reflect society's moral standards, especially under the context of reproductive medicine, as Rapp's (1999:3) research on pre-natal testing has shown. Although there is much research on morality within Sociology, understanding the extent to which morality affects decisions, and how moral issues are understood by women within the context of social egg freezing, remains under-researched.
Research questions
This research will be guided by the following research questions:
1. What are women's decision-making processes when considering the process of social egg freezing, and how do they experience it?
2. How are women's decisions shaped by the relational context in which they are embedded?
3. How are the moral dimensions of egg freezing understood by the women who undertake the procedure?
4. How might women from different backgrounds approach the question of social egg freezing differently?
This project will focus on women's experiences of social egg freezing, paying particular attention to the relational nature of decision-making in terms of wider family and partner relationships as well as the moral dimensions embedded in these decisions. Wider relationships and personal circumstances are likely to shape women's considerations of freezing their eggs in key ways, because how actors behave is shaped by 'the others involved, and the relations they enjoy with those others' (Crossley, 2010). Inspired by the study of kinship in Sociology, this study views women's decisions to freeze their eggs not as singular, but as ones that 'are made in relation to others and not specifically in terms of their own...separate needs and desires' (Smart, 2011:17). In relation to the related practice of egg and sperm donation, Nordqvist and Smart (2014) have highlighted the usefulness of a relational approach by showing how reproduction and new medical technologies have deep ramifications not only for the individual, but also for the family and relationships in which they are embedded.
The study will also explore the moral dimensions embedded in these processes, and particularly how morality is understood in relation to the impact of (potential) decisions that egg freezing might have on wider relationships, society and the future child that might result. Relationships are inevitably influenced by morality, as some actors can 'persuade and influence others by asserting the correctness of particular moral situations' (Mehta and Winship, 2010:434). The influence of those who are close to us have such a profound effect on decision-making because 'we wish to be seen as moral and morally accountable members of society' (May, 2013:45). The moral concerns of those around us are likely to reflect society's moral standards, especially under the context of reproductive medicine, as Rapp's (1999:3) research on pre-natal testing has shown. Although there is much research on morality within Sociology, understanding the extent to which morality affects decisions, and how moral issues are understood by women within the context of social egg freezing, remains under-researched.
Research questions
This research will be guided by the following research questions:
1. What are women's decision-making processes when considering the process of social egg freezing, and how do they experience it?
2. How are women's decisions shaped by the relational context in which they are embedded?
3. How are the moral dimensions of egg freezing understood by the women who undertake the procedure?
4. How might women from different backgrounds approach the question of social egg freezing differently?
Organisations
| Description | What were the most significant achievements from the award? So far, the most significant achievements to have come from the award has been gaining an in-depth insight into how women experience egg freezing under the context of their relational networks (e.g. family, friends, partners, co-workers, etc), and, crucially, how their experiences are morally embedded within these networks. Morality in particular is a concept that is yet to be investigated under the context of egg freezing, and I am able to contribute a great deal of knowledge to the field of social sciences and medicine, for example the ways in which women reflexively use their present and past interactions with their relational networks to morally assess their options of becoming mothers under the context of egg freezing (for example, as an older mother, as a single mother, with a sperm donor). Further, I have also discovered that online networks and interaction are central to how women experience egg freezing - which I had not anticipated going into the research. Again, morality served as an excellent lens for which to analyse these networks, and provide an insight into how and why women engage with the technology in the ways that they do. To what extent were the award objectives met? If you can, briefly explain why any key objectives were not met. The award is still active, but up to this point, the objectives of the award have been met. I have conducted narrative interviews with women who have, or are considering, freezing their eggs. At first, it was the objective of the research to have more than 19 interviews (the final amount that I collected), but due to issues associated with recruitment, data saturation and the growing importance of online networks, I decided to also collect online data to work with alongside the interviews (e.g. from blogs, social media). So, despite my key objective of getting 20+ interviews not being met, I have managed to collect further data that is very relevant to my finding that online networks are central to how women experience egg freezing. |
| Exploitation Route | In terms of non-academic audiences, there is a great deal to be said for policy. For example, the ways in which women experience egg freezing can be linked back to access to fertility treatments, as well as the UK's '10-year limit' on frozen egg storage. Some of the findings of my research might be a frame of reference for future policy change. Further, those working in health industries could benefit from some of my findings that focused on clinical settings - as those who are freezing their eggs often reported that clinics tailor their services more towards IVF, and motherhood in the present, as opposed to the future. In terms of academic audiences, my work could be used to support existing arguments concerning the relational and moral nature of society. Further, my work also raises interesting questions and opportunities for further research, which may be of interest to those working in reproductive technologies within the social sciences. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Healthcare |