Communications in Humanities Research
- The Open Access Proceedings Series for Conferences
Communications in Humanities Research
Vol. 22, 07 December 2023
Open
Access | Article
The Influence of Expressing Fertility Risks on Modern Social Media Platforms on Women’s Reproductive Anxiety
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Abstract
In the digital age, social media platforms like Weibo, WeChat, and Xiaohongshu have become pivotal spaces for discussing various life aspects, including fertility risks. This study aims to fill a significant research gap by exploring the impact of these discussions on women’s reproductive anxiety, particularly among Chinese women aged 20–35. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study conducts in-depth interviews to investigate women’s perceptions of fertility anxiety across health, socio-economic, and family domains. The findings reveal that social media discussions can be categorized into three main areas: health-related concerns, socioeconomic factors, and family dynamics. These discussions often employ sensational headlines, alarming statistical data, and anecdotal narratives, intensifying preexisting anxieties. Women employ various coping mechanisms, seeking solace in online communities that offer alternative viewpoints and emotional support. The study also uncovers a shift towards reproductive autonomy influenced by internet usage. Women exposed to diverse perspectives on fertility and reproductive health are prompted to question societal norms, leading to a heightened sense of autonomy. The study holds significance for its comprehensive approach and serves as a foundation for future research, including the exploration of the influence of social media influencers and healthcare professionals on public sentiment and conduct. It not only validates existing theories but also introduces novel perspectives, particularly for Chinese women, thereby paving the way for future investigations.
Keywords
reproductive anxiety, fertility risks, social media
References
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Data Availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
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- Volume Title
- Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
- ISBN (Print)
- 978-1-83558-187-2
- ISBN (Online)
- 978-1-83558-188-9
- Published Date
- 07 December 2023
- Series
- Communications in Humanities Research
- ISSN (Print)
- 2753-7064
- ISSN (Online)
- 2753-7072
- DOI
- 10.54254/2753-7064/22/20231606
- Copyright
- 07 December 2023
- Open Access
- This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited