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Fertility and Infertility: Toward an Integrative Research Agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Katherine M. Johnson

    (Tulane University)

  • Arthur L. Greil

    (Alfred University)

  • Karina M. Shreffler

    (Oklahoma State University)

  • Julia McQuillan

    (University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Abstract

In this article, we show that social science research on fertility and infertility consists of largely separate research traditions, despite shared interest in pregnancies and births (or lack thereof). We describe four ways these two traditions differ: (1) publication trajectories and outlets, (2) fields of study and major theoretical frameworks, (3) degree of attention to the other topic, and (4) language and definitions used. We then discuss why future integration of these bodies of research would be beneficial, outline potential steps toward rapprochement, and provide common areas of dialogue that could facilitate and enrich these bodies of research. We offer a more holistic framework using the reproductive career as an extension of existing lifecourse approaches in both fertility and infertility research. We conclude with a brief empirical example and discussion of methodological issues for measuring and modeling reproductive careers.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine M. Johnson & Arthur L. Greil & Karina M. Shreffler & Julia McQuillan, 2018. "Fertility and Infertility: Toward an Integrative Research Agenda," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 37(5), pages 641-666, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:poprpr:v:37:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s11113-018-9476-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11113-018-9476-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ester Lazzari & Edith Gray & Bernard Baffour, 2022. "A dyadic approach to the study of perceived subfecundity and contraceptive use," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 47(1), pages 1-36.
    2. Katherine M. Johnson & Karina M. Shreffler & Arthur L. Greil & Julia McQuillan, 2023. "Bearing the Reproductive Load? Unequal Reproductive Careers Among U.S. Women," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(1), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Bornstein, Marta & Gipson, Jessica D. & Failing, Gates & Banda, Venson & Norris, Alison, 2020. "Individual and community-level impact of infertility-related stigma in Malawi," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    4. Andrés F. Castro Torres & Emilio Parrado, 2022. "Nativity differentials in first births in the United States: Patterns by race and ethnicity," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 46(2), pages 37-64.
    5. Mieke Beth Thomeer & Rin Reczek & Lawrence Stacey, 2022. "Childbearing Biographies as a Method to Examine Diversity and Clustering of Childbearing Experiences: A Research Brief," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(4), pages 1405-1415, August.
    6. Caroline Sten Hartnett & Rachel Margolis, 2019. "Births that are Later-than-Desired: Correlates and Consequences," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 38(4), pages 483-505, August.

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