Linden, Sammy van der (2024) The Heteronormativity of the Motherhood Mandate: The Role of Woman Identity, Sexual Identity, and Identity- Related Metaperceptions in the Reproductive Intentions of Heterosexual and Queer women. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
The present research aimed to identify the different processes underlying the intention to have children among heterosexual and queer women, by exploring the role of woman identity, sexual identity and their identity-related metaperceptions in shaping reproductive intentions. A total of 196 heterosexual and 178 queer women filled out an online questionnaire. As expected, we found that heterosexual women have higher intentions to have children than queer women and are believed to be subjected to higher motherhood expectations than queer women. Both heterosexual and queer women believe that societal evaluations of heterosexual motherhood are more positive than of queer motherhood. However, we did not find support for our mediation analyses regarding the role of woman identity, sexual identity, and identity-related metaperceptions. Contrary to our hypothesis, heterosexual women’s intentions to have children are predicted by their heterosexual identity rather than their woman identity. Similarly, queer women’s intentions to have children were not predicted by their queer identity but their woman identity. Our findings challenge the notion that queer women are childfree by default, but suggest that their lower intentions are due to being subjected less to motherhood expectations and possibly being discouraged from pursuing motherhood due to expected stigma. This research highlights that women’s intentions to have children are embedded in societal expectations and heteronormative pressures, and should not be oversimplified as being the result of mere personal desires.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Gordijn, E.H. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Aug 2024 09:22 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Aug 2024 09:22 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4332 |
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