In the myriad social variables among which we all live, it is difficult to place ourselves in the shoes of another person in our own society. It would seem an easy thing to do. We are, after all, reared with the same core cultural values, more or less. But even in our own society we are harshly judgmental of people whose ideas, actions and beliefs systems differ, even slightly, from our own. Culture, though the one common factor of people in various societies, is (potentially) the most divisive of all social factors and social determinants. It is culture which helps us to to decide what is good, right and acceptable in our social realms. Hence, it also defines what is bad, wrong and down right unacceptable.
Which brings me to Rajo Devi, Adriana Iliescu, and Carmela Bousada. My mother doesn't even know these women's names, but a discussion of any of them and their (old age motherhood) sends her into paroxysms of spitting tirades if incomprehension. She doesn't understand and, (here's the important part) she doesn't want to understand. My left leaning, accepting, outspoken, mother thinks that these women are at best, crazy, at worst very, very stupid. I admit, that I understand her point of view, personally, but when it's examined from a socio-cultural perspective of the life cycle it begins to make some intellectual sense.
They are all women. Yes, I know that this should go without saying, but it is the most important social variable of their stories. They are from India, Romania and Spain. How is it that they have all come to the conclusion that bearing a child as such advanced ages is a good thing to do? They are all women and in the lives of women the thing which is stressed most consistently, most ubiquitously, most obviously, most ferverently is motherhood. "What kind of a woman are you if you don't have children?" Look at the fertility industry in the United States. It is an industry, built upon the socio-cultural belief that women, above all else, must be biological mothers. Without motherhood, all else is meaningless. Right? Women who can't have children are viewed with pity in most societies. Where is the ancillary fertility industry to make men fathers; the ancillary pity for men who do not reproduce?
There are, undoubtly class issues at work here as well. Do we approve of poor women availing themselves of these services to have children? Would we look at them differently if their class standings were different? What about health and longevity? Does that make a difference when we examine their situations? How about ethnicity? Are some groups seen differently than others in terms of hyper-reproduction? These are all sociological factors and play a role in the women's decisions as well as our responses to them.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the importance of gender in reproduction in U.S. society. Address cross cultural perspectives. Are U.S. ideals on reproduction very different from that of other cultures?
2. Discuss the sociological impact of reproduction at older ages? What are the effects on societal structure?
3. What theoretical perspective work best in an analysis of the negative responses to these women having children at such advanced ages? Explain
Welcome to Sociology of Life Cycles!
They are "CRAZY". Why would you really want to bring a child into such extreams this world is offering through their late-in-life, of age? Genetically there is a great probibility that these children will have some form of biological break-down later in there life. There are always who,what,where,when,and how that need to be settled in advance before we make these children a comic routine on some late night show or on Comedy Central. I feel for these children that will be under a microscope all their natural lives. Look at Dolly the Sheep and what these geneticists have changed.
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction to this was, WHAT THE ____ ARE THEY THINKING?! But after considering the issue a little more, you start to really wonder, what are they thinking? These women all had the dream of becoming a mother, but never yet got to have the chance for that dream to come true. Keep in mind that all across the world grandparents are raising children and doing an excellent job at the task. So why is such a big deal for someone of that age to have a child? The biggest issue that seems to keep coming up is that these women might not live long enough to see their child reach many of the life goals that parents tend to celebrate such as first day of school, graduation, marriage, becoming a grandparent, etc. But are these worries substantial? What about younger individuals who have children and a few years later go to jail, or get killed in an accident, or develop an illness and pass away? These circumstances don't warrant any ridiculing, yet the outcome is the same. They will not be around to see their child do these things. Either way you look at it, people are going to criticize these women for their choices and praise them for their choice to live out their dreams. There is no right way to look at the situation.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, my first reaction to this article was, it's really not that big of deal anymore. I remember when I was a freshman and i heard about a situation like this. Back then i was surprised, now it's "just another article in the paper". I really don't think people should be surprised, considering the events that have happened in the past couple of months, good events at that. Our world is changing, Although she is old, who says she can't give birth. It's a miracle that someone at that age can give birth. Yes, it's a bit extreme, but it's their life, who is to judge?
ReplyDeleteWhy is man so obsessed with norms? I believe it is because there is great comfort found in the norms of society, it could be seen as a sort of anonymity if you will. Statistically, yes these women are outliers to a man made statistic. However what is not brought up in this debate is how the lifespan of Homo sapiens has more than doubled in the last one hundred years. Also the social world that man has created for itself has begun to evolve once again as man and technology struggle to find an equilibrium. These women made a choice for themselves, which in today's day and age independence is completely normal, and in most cases praised. However because of their age they are looked down upon as poor mothers as they sit on the far end of the life cycle. They are not measured on how and what they teach their children. All parents must pass from this life as some point. And it should be the mission of all parents to leave their children with the knowledge to protect and care for themselves. Instead of praising these women for their accomplishments at creating life, they are scorned for their age??? If only society could use the energy it uses to independently complain about everything, and turn it into something positive, like collectively pulling together and putting effort into the next generation of children instead of just babysitting them.
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