AbstractsWomens Studies

This study was mainly exploratory in nature and had multiple purposes. First, it explored the possible relationship between parenthood motivation and attitudes toward assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Second, it explored the possible relationship between the perceived knowledge of ART and attitudes toward ART. Third, it examined the differences in the attitudes toward ART and perceived knowledge of ART which corresponded to differences in the following demographic characteristics: age, racial heritage, education, religious preference, personal income level, and combined income level. In addition, it investigated the relationship between parenthood motivation and the perceived knowledge of ART. Results of the analyses revealed that none of the parenthood motivation measures were significantly related to attitudes toward ART, except for the motivation for gender role fulfillment of having children. The hypothesized relationship between the perceived knowledge of ART and attitudes toward ART was also analyzed using a Pearson product correlation. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between the two variables. ANOVAs and t-tests were used to determine if there were differences in the attitudes toward ART for the following demographic characteristics of the subjects: age, racial heritage, education, religious preference, personal income level, and combined income level. Results of the analyses found that there were no significant differences in the attitudes toward ART for the demographic characteristics of the women. ANOVAs and t-tests were also used to determine if there were differences in the perceived knowledge of ART for the demographic characteristics of the subjects. Analyses showed that there were significant differences in the knowledge of ART for the demographic characteristic age. That is, younger recently married women (26 and under) had greater knowledge of ART than older recently married women (over 26). There were no other significant differences in the knowledge of ART for the other demographic variables. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)