Abstract

CALERO, Jorge Luis  and  SANTANA, Felipe. Infertility as an event of personal frustration. Reflections of a group of males from infertile couples. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2006, vol.17, n.1. ISSN 1561-2953.

This article presents a part of the results obtained in the study conducted at the National Institute of Endocrinology (NIE) aimed at understanding the meanings and perceptions of infertility of a group of males that receive medical attention due to this ailment. Fourteen males from infertile couples attended at the NIE were interviewed. The information was recorded, transcribed, coded and triangulated, according to the qualitative research methodology. It was found that infertility is interpreted by males as an element of loss and personal frustration, where the impossibility to be father gives rise to strong consequences that endanger his identification as a full male. The negativity in the meanings of infertility constructed by males is in correspondance with the person who presents the infertility factor and with the presence of previous children.

Keywords : Male identity; gender; infertility; meanings; ailment; perceived repercussion.

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