“Why Can't You Control This?” How Women's Interactions with Intimate Partners Define Menopause and Family

Bibliographic Data

ID20393166
AuthorsHeather Dillaway (Wayne State University, corresponding author), Heather E Dillaway (Wayne State University)
Year2008
Volume20
Issue1-2
Pages47-64
Publication date2008-03-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Women & Aging (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0895-2841 • E-ISSN: 1540-7322
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j074v20n01_05
PMID18581700
OpenAlexW2074098187
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited17

In this article I explore women's discussions of the interactions that families have about menopause and, thus, attempt to broaden feminist knowledge of women's experiences of menopause within families. Data on which this article is based were collected in 61 in-depth interviews with menopausal women in a midwest state in 2001. Findings suggest that biomedical definitions of menopause are often reaffirmed within interactions between intimate partners. Thus, women reported negative familial interactions about menopause, as they were encouraged to define symptoms as problematic and seek medical treatment. Alternatively, some interviewees reported positive interactions about menopause, as a few partners helped them soothe symptoms and follow health regimens. Women interpreted these latter interactions as support or care, rather than surveillance or monitoring. The author concludes that familial interactions bolster dominant constructions of both menopause and family because, as menopause is discussed between intimate partners, definitions of gendered familial roles and responsibilities are cemented

Menopause · Sociology · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Medicine · Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments · Psychology · Sex and Gender in Healthcare · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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