Cultural challenges faced by childless Basotho married women

Abstract

The study has explored the cultural challenges faced by childless Basotho married women. It explored the ways in which their culture may have oppressed and marginalized them because of their inability to bear children. It also looked into their emotional and psychological status. The literature review give an overview of female and male infertility. A group of six Basotho childless women who offered to reflect on the cultural challenges faced by Basotho childless married women, demonstrated how Basotho childless married women are struggling. All these women are experienced primary infertility. The study did not include women faced with secondary infertility because they may presently be infertile, but they have previously experienced pregnancy. Therefore, primary infertility was chosen as the focus of this research because primary infertile women have never experience pregnancy and childbirth, so their challenge is severe. The research is qualitative in nature. It was conducted within social construction theory. This theory proved to be relevant to this study because it give women seeking help a space to narrate their stories, as they were experts of their own life stories. Such conversations also helped women faced by this challenge to cope. It is hoped that the results obtained from this thesis will enable pastoral caregivers to intervene effectively and to work collaboratively with other health professionals towards delivering services aimed at assisting childless married women in Lesotho.