Perceptions of Surrogacy Within the Yoruba Socio-Cultural Context of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Background: Surrogacy might be a reproductive process that brings joy and fulfilment to many but it also brings with it numerous ethical and legal concerns; it raises questions about the fundamental human rights, welfare and wellbeing of women and infants especially within a context where it is barely regulated. This article examines the perception of surrogacy within the Yoruba socio-cultural context in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. It brings to the fore various socio-cultural concerns that questions the influence of surrogacy as a reproductive process on womanhood, motherhood and parenthood. It discusses by analysing the narratives of participants how surrogacy process is a dereliction of the sacredness and cultural sanctity of the family system, most especially in an African context. Methods: 15 stakeholders (traditional birth attendants and gynaecologists) were engaged in an in-depth interview to unravel the challenges surrogacy might or is encountering within the socio-cultural context of Ado-Ekiti. Results: There are various social, cultural and religious beliefs that police the reproductive sphere of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, which has grave implications on fertility treatment. These socio-cultural and religious factors do not provide a fertile ground for surrogacy to thrive within the study location. Hence, it is important that the socio-cultural framing of reproduction within this cultural context become receptive to medical reproductive solutions and innovations if at all the processes are to thrive or at least become less stigmatised. Conclusions: The process of surrogacy is very complex and people’s attitude towards the practice is greatly influenced by their culture, religion and social belief systems about what is considered appropriate for procreation. Also, it is important to have clear-cut policy regulating surrogacy and all forms of ARTs in Nigeria, as this will protect women and infants, as well as, ensure that they are not to exposed abuse, commercialization and exploitation.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of Surrogacy Within the Socio-Cultural Context of Nigeria

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.20999.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Oluwatobi Joseph Alabi

Keyword(s):

Cultural Context ◽

Family System ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Reproductive Process ◽

Legal Professionals ◽

The Social ◽

The Family ◽

African Context ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: Surrogacy might be a reproductive process that brings joy and fulfilment to many, but it also brings with it numerous ethical and legal concerns; it raises questions about the fundamental human rights, welfare and wellbeing of women and infants, especially within a context where it is barely regulated. This article examines the perception of surrogacy within the socio-cultural context of Nigeria. It brings to the fore various socio-cultural concerns that question the influence of surrogacy as a reproductive process on womanhood, motherhood and parenthood. It discusses, by analysing the narratives of the participants, how the surrogacy process is a dereliction of the sacredness and cultural sanctity of the family system, most especially in an African context. Methods: Fifteen (15) stakeholders (traditional birth attendants, medical gynaecologists and legal professionals within the social, medico-legal framework of reproductive health) in Nigeria were engaged in in-depth interviews to unravel the challenges which surrogacy might be facing or encountering as an ART in Nigeria. Results: There are various social, traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs that police the reproductive sphere of Nigeria, which have grave implications on fertility treatment. These socio-cultural and religious factors do not provide a fertile ground for surrogacy to thrive in Nigeria. Hence, it is important that the socio-cultural framing of reproducing in Nigeria become receptive to modern medical reproductive alternatives and innovations. Conclusions: For surrogacy to permeate the reproductive terrain of the country there is a need to jettison several socio-cultural and religious sentimental beliefs policing reproduction in Nigeria.

Download Full-text

A qualitative investigation of surrogacy as a panacea for infertility in Nigeria

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.20999.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Oluwatobi Joseph Alabi

Keyword(s):

Family System ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Legal Professionals ◽

Birth Attendants ◽

Depth Interview ◽

The Social ◽

The Family ◽

Fertile Ground ◽

African Context

Background: Up until recently, adoption is the most common alternative to recommended to couples struggling to procreate. However, with the advancement in medical technology, it is now possible to procreate through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Debates continue to ensue on the contentious issues emanating from various ART procedures, for instance regarding surrogacy there are concerns that this fragments womanhood, motherhood and parenthood, and there is a dereliction of the sacredness and cultural sanctity of the family system, most especially in an African context. However, as infertility becomes more prevalent among couples trying to have children in Nigeria, it has become important that alternate mediums of reproduction be examined within the socio-cultural milieu of the country. This study set out to examine surrogacy as a panacea to infertility in Nigeria through a qualitative lens. Methods: 15 stakeholders (traditional birth attendants, medical gynaecologists and legal professionals within the social, medico-legal framework of reproductive health) in Nigeria were engaged in an in-depth interview to unravel the challenges surrogacy might or is encountering as an ART in Nigeria. Results: There are various social, traditional, cultural and religious beliefs that police the reproductive sphere of Nigeria, which has grave implications on fertility treatment. These socio-cultural and religious factors do not provide a fertile ground for surrogacy to thrive in Nigeria. Hence, it is important that the socio-cultural framing of reproducing in Nigeria become receptive to modern medical reproductive alternatives and innovations. Conclusions: For surrogacy to permeate the reproductive terrain of the country there is a need to jettison several socio-cultural and religious sentimental beliefs policing reproduction in Nigeria.

Download Full-text

Cultural aspects of vaginismus therapy: a case series of Arab-Muslim patients

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist ◽

10.1017/s1754470x18000119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yosra Zgueb ◽

Uta Ouali ◽

Radhouane Achour ◽

Rabaa Jomli ◽

Fethi Nacef

Keyword(s):

Cultural Context ◽

Female Sexuality ◽

Belief Systems ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Case Series ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Common Denominator ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Arab Muslim ◽

The Family

AbstractVaginismus in one of the most frequent causes of non-consummation of marriage, and of infertility, in Arab-Muslim societies. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) proved to be effective, but it is important to consider the cultural context of the patient attending CBT for vaginismus. The aim of our study was therefore to draw attention to the belief systems and behaviours linked to female sexuality and couple relationship in the Arab-Muslim culture. We present a series of four patients representative of the local culture and show how treatment strategies were adapted to fit these behaviours and belief systems, as well as environmental factors. We found that excessive closeness of family members, allowing the family to be intrusive and exercising pressure on the couple, a strict education which highly values virginity, transmits fear of ‘the male’ and fear of sex, and which links sex with pain, were the common denominator of all patients of our case series. We adapted the classical CBT strategies for vaginismus to our cultural context. The educational component was enlarged. Cognitive techniques were used to modify specific traditional beliefs. The integration of the family, and not only of the partner, into the treatment process proved uniquely beneficial for the patients.

Download Full-text

Understanding Continuities and Changes in Irish Marriage: Putting Women Centre Stage

Irish Journal of Sociology ◽

10.1177/079160359500500107 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 135-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pat O'Connor

Keyword(s):

Sexual Activity ◽

Family Life ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Family System ◽

Institutional Structure ◽

Social Classes ◽

Life Stages ◽

Marriage And Family ◽

The Family

Contemporary changes and continuities in marriage and family life can be understood by focusing on women. Five main patterns may make sense of these phenomena: women's continued identification with and absorption within the family system; negotiation within marriage; a feminised conception of love; an attempt to transform the structural and cultural parameters of marriage and family life; and an uncoupling of the traditional sequence of marriage, sexual activity and procreation. These patterns are not mutually exclusive, but may be differentially adopted by women at different life-stages and from different social classes. It is argued that women are involved in these various responses in an attempt to deal with the reality of the institutional structure of marriage within a social and cultural context which is not always responsive to their needs and interests.

Download Full-text

Youth Development in Europe

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.14.4.372 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 372-375 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Katariina Salmela-Aro ◽

Ingrid Schoon

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Youth Development ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Transition To Adulthood ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Integrative Framework ◽

Reciprocal Interactions ◽

The Family ◽

Key Players

A series of six papers on “Youth Development in Europe: Transitions and Identities” has now been published in the European Psychologist throughout 2008 and 2009. The papers aim to make a conceptual contribution to the increasingly important area of productive youth development by focusing on variations and changes in the transition to adulthood and emerging identities. The papers address different aspects of an integrative framework for the study of reciprocal multiple person-environment interactions shaping the pathways to adulthood in the contexts of the family, the school, and social relationships with peers and significant others. Interactions between these key players are shaped by their embeddedness in varied neighborhoods and communities, institutional regulations, and social policies, which in turn are influenced by the wider sociohistorical and cultural context. Young people are active agents, and their development is shaped through reciprocal interactions with these contexts; thus, the developing individual both influences and is influenced by those contexts. Relationship quality and engagement in interactions appears to be a fruitful avenue for a better understanding of how young people adjust to and tackle development to productive adulthood.

Download Full-text