Abstract
When making decisions about prenatal diagnosis, couples not only draw on their understanding of the condition but also broader aspects of their cultural identity. This article looks at how faith and religion mediate attitudes towards screening, prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy for sickle cell and thalassaemia disorders. The article specifically reports on a qualitative study, which used focus groups from a variety of faith communities (Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Christian), at risk of haemoglobin disorders, living in England. Our findings suggest that the decision about whether or not to have diagnostic testing generally related to attitudes towards the termination of pregnancy. The consequences of the condition were as important as religious beliefs to most people. More generally, faith beliefs emerged as negotiable and contingent: realized within a broader moral framework. Religion was felt not to be prescriptive and reproductive decisions were seen as personal. When making decisions, people utilize faith within a broader context of individual, family and social relationships.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 77-98 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Current Sociology |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2008 |
Bibliographical note
© International Sociological Association. This is an author produced version of a paper to be published in Current Sociology. Made available in accordance with the publisher's embargo requirement.Keywords
- ethnicity
- prenatal diagnosis
- religious identity
- PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS
- WOMEN
- PARENTS
- HEMOGLOBINOPATHIES
- PERCEPTIONS
- EXPERIENCE
- ATTITUDES
- ETHNICITY
- BELIEFS
- LEADERS