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Sociology Research

 

Alongside the rapid expansion of assisted fertility services worldwide have come changes in how both fertility and infertility are perceived, defined and experienced. Once aimed at the infertile population, modern ART marketing is increasingly aimed at the fertile population, and at new sectors such as the LGBTQ community. More fertility services has also created greater stratificaiton between the 'fertility haves and have nots'. This 3 year project, led by Sarah Franklin, will provide a first-ever macrosociological characterisation of the distinctive fertility transitions that have emerged in the post-ART context. We will document, compare and theorise post-ART fertility changes using detailed case studies from the UK and around the globe. Building on well- established research partnerships with 24 researchers in 16 countries we will demonstrate how both definitions and perceptions of fertility are changing -- and why this is one of the most significant forms of social change in our era.