Fertility has always been an important subject of concern for women. The ability to bear and raise offspring is one of the physiological blessings of being a woman. Historically, women were expected to bear children and to be good mothers.
Fertility was essentially seen as one of their primary responsibilities and duties.
The Evolution of Fertility
The evolution of human civilization also brought a change in the perception of fertility. It moved from being simply a matter of personal choice to being part of societal expectations.
With the onset of civilization, women’s reproductive activities were scrutinized and controlled by men. Societal standards led to the creation of beliefs that control women’s reproductive choices. This led to the battle for fertility among women, whereby they competed for the men’s attention and approval.
Competition Among Women
One of the most striking features of the battle of fertility is the competition among women themselves. Women have always competed with each other to prove their fertility and desirability as mates.
The primary reason for this competition is that fertility has always been seen as a sign of power. The more fertile a woman is, the more desirable she is seen as a mate. This has led to many women feeling insecure and competing against each other for the attention of men.
The Role of Society
Thus, the societal expectation of fertility, coupled with women’s natural drive to compete with each other, has created fertile ground for competition among women concerning fertility.
For instance, women who bear children early in life are often seen as more desirable than those who wait until later in life. This societal standard has often contributed to low fertility rates, as women feel like they are supposed to have children at a certain age which they may not be ready for.
Women who have multiple children are also seen as more fertile and therefore more desirable. The societal ideals have created stereotypes about the requirements for women to be considered desirable mates.
Misconceptions About Fertility
The fertility battle is also fueled by misconceptions about fertility. One such misconception is that women can have children at any age.
The truth is that fertility declines with age, and by the time women hit their mid-30s, their chances of getting pregnant start to decrease. However, societal expectations pressure women into waiting until they are politically and socially established before they start bearing children. This view may mean that some women may wait too long to start trying to be pregnant.
which can reduce their chances of becoming pregnant when they eventually start trying.
Fertility Treatments
Another factor affecting the fertility battle is the use of fertility treatments. Fertility treatments have provided a solution to women who may have trouble getting pregnant naturally. However, they have also created a new kind of competition for women.
The treatments aren’t available to everyone, and are often expensive. This means that those who can afford treatments are seen as more desirable than those who cannot. As a result, women who can afford fertility treatment sometimes compete with others for the status it brings.
The Solution
The battle for fertility can be solved by properly educating both men and women about fertility, and by breaking the societal expectations of women concerning childbearing.
Women must be empowered and supported to make choices concerning their reproductive health, and these choices should be respected. Women should also be encouraged to make these choices in their own time and not feel pressured to confirm to societal expectations.
In conclusion, the battle for fertility may never be won if society continues to put unreasonable expectations on women concerning fertility. The key to solving this battle is to empower women to make reproductive choices free from societal pressure or unrealistic expectations.