Psychology of Parenting: Topic 6 - Becoming a Parent

Fertility

What is it? What is the difference between females and males?

• Fertility = ability to successfully contribute to fertilization/conception

Males =

• fertility starts at puberty

• ends never however sperm count reduces overtime

Females =

• ur born with all ur eggs (ova)

• ability to conceive ends at menopause

Infertility

What is it? How common? Differences in females and males?

• Infertility = unable conceive for at least a year

• 1 in 6 couples infertility happens

• Female

  • failture to ovulate (can’t disharge eggs from ovaries)

  • unsuccessul journey of egg going from ovary to fallopian tube

  • fallopian tube damage

  • endometrosis

  • hormonal issues

  • early menopause

• Male

  • issues in sperm production

  • treatable factors → things we do to help

    • ex = stop smoking

  • injury

Enhancing fertility

Natural methods

• timing of sexual intercourse (stage of menstruation like during ovulation stage)

• good health, weight, diet, exercise

• males avoid hot tubs and saunas

Enhancing fertility

Medical interventions

• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

  • since 1981

  • manipulating egg, sperm, embryos in lab settings

  • Ex = IVF, embryo transfer, introfallopian transfer

• Third Party Assisted ART

  • third person coming in

  • Ex = may carry child, someone donates egg/sperm

• Odd and Risks of ART

  • at risk of developing birth effects

  • odds of happening low, high costs

Pregnancies

Unintended, adolescent, avoiding

• Unintended and mistimes pregnancies

  • Unintended = not intentional, not want it

  • Mistimed = wanting kids but it came sooner/later than expected

• Adolescent pregnancies

  • financial issues, school, still young/figuring them selves out

  • declined in U.S.

    • increased access to contraceptives, going to school and getting degree

• Avoiding pregnancies

  • 85% of couples without sub contraception experience a pregnancy unintended

    • 58% result in birth

    • 42% in abortion (periodt)

Topics Related to Parenthood

Joys and difficulties of parenting

Joys =

• love, family, connection, legacy, someone to care for you when older

Difficulties =

• finances, lack of sleep, changes in relationships, changes in work

• Role of parent changes

• Major responsibility

Topics Related to Parenthood

What is the cost of rearing a child?

a little over $233,000 for middle class

Four types of parents:

Pro children (and percentage)

• 30%

• the pros of having children outweigh the cons

Four types of parents:

Anti-children

• 30%

• lots of difficulties with having a child

• few joys/benefits

Four types of parents:

Ambivalent

• 20%

• identify both pros and cons

• not one outweight the other

Four types of parents:

Indifferent

• doesn’t even think of having kids

Transitioning to parenthood (becoming a parent)

What changes in a person’s life?

Time related adjustments =

• need to make adjustments in your daily schedule

  • Ex = changing when you sleep or don’t sleep depending on when the baby falls asleep

Parental Employment status =

• related to how much time you spend with child

Affects ALL family members =

• birth of new siblings affects already existing children in family, the birth of a daughter may change how the parenting style maybe more softer parenting

Adjustments of Personal Identity =

• partner lover personal identity goes down after becoming a parent (how they identify themselves)

• all goes to infant

Martial satisfaction Impacted =

• declines after having a child

  • daily scheculed changes

  • wpork shcedule changes

  • changes in personal identity

  • relationships with each other changes

Transitioning to parenthood (becoming a parent)

Paternal involvement in childcare (father)

• influenced by relationship with significant other

• influenced by motivation

• influenced by their prior experiences

• they report happiness

Transitioning to parenthood (becoming a parent)

Maternal involvement in childcare (mother)

• some moms tend to gatekeep

  • Ex = “no I got this”