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Chapter 18 - A Racially and Culturally Sensitive Approach to Fertility Counseling

from IV - Addressing the Needs of Diverse Populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2022

By
Kimberly Grocher  and
Trudie Gerrits
Edited by
Sharon N. Covington
Sharon N. Covington
Affiliation:
Shady Grove Fertility, Rockville, MD
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Summary

Fertility counselors see an array of clients who may be diverse in terms of countries of origin, ethnicity, race and/or cultural background. This chapter identifies principles to guide this conversation. These principles include understanding how we consider race, ethnicity and culture, and emphasize the importance of not essentializing race, ethnicity and culture. The chapter continues with a brief overview of the meaning and consequences of infertility in various places worldwide and among migrant and racial minorities in particular, how this can affect access to, use of and experiences with fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Finally, we offer considerations for racially and culturally sensitive clinical approaches in fertility counseling.

Keywords

fertility counselingraceculturediversityanti-oppressive practicecritical theorysocial theoryinfertility
Type
Chapter
Information
Fertility Counseling: Clinical Guide , pp. 183 - 194
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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