Assisted reproductive technologies : the discourses of motherhood and childlessness in Bangladesh

Abstract

By employing Foucauldian and post-structural feminist theories and the method of discourse analysis, this research examines Bangladeshi media and fertility centres’ truth construction process in regards to motherhood, childlessness, and ARTs. My research shows that the examined texts construct ARTs as desirable in Bangladeshi couples’ lives in four ways. First, they produce the ‘truths’ that motherhood is a necessity for Bangladeshi women’s lives, and childlessness is a ‘defect’ that causes grief. Second, they construct the ‘truths’ that ARTs are a significant sign of the progress of medical science, and modern treatments are available in Bangladesh in order to fulfill childless Bangladeshi couples’ need. Third, they suggest that IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) children are as ‘normal’ as children conceived without medical interventions. Finally, they produce the ‘truth’ that Bangladeshi fertility clinics reconcile Islamic principles in providing fertility treatments, making them acceptable for childless couples to pursue.