Motherhood on ice? A media framing analysis of older mothers in the UK news

Authors: Shaw, Rachel¹; Giles, David²

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 24, Number 2, February 2009 , pp. 221-236(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Changing gender roles and increased sexual and economic freedom have created opportunities for women to give birth relatively late in life. However, stigma and misplaced fears about physical capacity are often reported as sources of anxiety among older, and in vitro fertilisation-induced mothers. In this study, we apply a specially adapted method for analysing news media content to a week's selection of material in the British media following the dissemination of research at an international medical conference. Our findings suggest, despite some positive commentaries, that much negative discourse is circulated by the media about older mothers, from implied claims of selfishness (older mothers as 'delaying' conception) to violations of the 'natural order'. These latter claims reflect the long-standing ambivalence by the media generally towards scientific advancement, but they also reveal continuing resistance towards unorthodox lifestyles.

Keywords: motherhood; in vitro fertilisation; ageing; parenting; media; discourse

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08870440701601625

Affiliations: 1: School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK 2: Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK

Publication date: 2009-02-01