1. What factors motivated Steven and Carol to have children?

The factors that motivated Steven and Carol to have children were due to Carol's feelings of
loneliness and isolation after their move for Stevens' job. Along with the move, Carol was finding
it very difficult to find a job that she was interested in. This in turn caused Carol to form some
conflicting emotions. Feelings of sadness and loneliness started to form. Due to her emotions,
Steven suggested starting a family even though they imagined this decision would be years
after they were established. Steven suggested this to allow her to have a purpose and in hopes
of making her feel better about herself and their move. Having a child would be the next step for
their new family. By making the decision to start a family, it would allow her to feel emotionally
and intellectually fulfilled.

2. What effects did their fertility problem have on their relationships with each other
and with their extended families?
Infertility is not easy to cope with, especially when you want to build a family. For Steven and
Carol, infertility had some serious impacts on them. The struggle to bear a child caused the
couple to become dissatisfied and frustrated. To add on to the emotions already lingering from
other issues surrounding Carol's life, the effects of infertility didn't help her in any way. This
devastating news led to stronger emotions of sadness and loneliness. As they tried to find other
ways to grow their family they were continuously let down. This news began to cause a strain on
their relationship. A main topic in their friends lives were children. It was hard for Steven and
Carol to hangout with those who they were close to. It was even difficult for Carol to spend time
with her nieces as it was a constant reminder of their failures.

3. Using the perspective of symbolic interactionism, suggest the effects on Carol of

not being able to have a child, of adopting a child, and of having a biological child.
Symbolic interactionism is an act that every individual unconsciously does. We all care about
how others perceive us and when an issue such as infertility is present within your marriage,
those around you may heavily affect the way that you perceive yourself. Symbolic interactionism
is an approach used to analyze human interactions by focusing on the meanings that individuals
assign to things in the world around them, including words and objects. Alongside dealing with
the struggles of infertility with your partner, those in your family may also heavily affect how you
react and feel towards this issue. Using the perspective of symbolic interactionism I notice a few
effects that adopting, the inability to bear a child, and a biological child have on both Carol and
Steven. Fom a symbolic interactionism perspective, infertility can be seen as an identity
disruption which can cause a woman to align their self identity and medical behavior over time.
When a woman is infertile it allows for struggles with identity to form. Questions surround their
mind and eventually tear down their self esteem. Am I not fit to be a mother? Do I not deserve to
have a family? Questions such as these can affect the identity of Carol as she may feel less
than others. The way others view this situation will always heavily affect Carol and her identity.
Carol may feel embarrassed that she is not able to have children. She may feel that she has let
her parents down because she cannot carry on their family name or give them the gift of a
grandchild. The constant question “when are you going to start a family” will eventually begin to
taunt Carol and Steven as they feel that they are not only rushed to have a child, but they are
also seen as failures. When your children aren't able to have children it may let you down. This
thought process may cause the parents to feel like failures at fulfilling the duties they are
supposed to uphold. When Carol and Stevens' friends always talk about their children it causes
them to feel like they are missing out and are not worthy of having a child. The constant talk of
children causes the couple to feel like they are being judged for not being able to bear children.
Symbolic interactionism affects the way that some may view having a child. Although it doesn't
matter how you had your child some seem to allow this to define or even degrade those who
may seek other options. For Steven and Carol, they were forced to turn to adoption in their early
years of marriage as they weren't able to have children. By adopting a child this could have both
positive and negative effects on the couple. The positive effects could be the ability to finally
have a child and even saving a child who may have been in danger or harm. The negative
effects could be assisted by the perspective of symbolic interactionism. Some in the family may
not like the idea of a child not being put on this Earth by the parents. Although extreme, this may
be the case for Steven and Carol. This in turn can allow for the parents to feel guilty for the
adopted child as they feel they cannot give the child the best life due to the circulating mindset
of others. Whether a child is adopted or not every child deserves to be loved the same. The
opinions of others could interfere with your perspectives and in turn alter your judgment. Those
who give birth to their child therefore making them biological may also cause parents to struggle
in the same way. With the perspective of symbolic interactionism those who have a biological
child may also be affected by the perceptions of others. An example of this could be the way
that Carol and Steven choose to raise their child. Their parents may not agree with their
selected parenting style and in turn judge and criticize Carol and Steven for their choices. This
in turn can affect the way that they view themselves as parents. No matter what, others
surrounding you will have an opinion that will be with or against you. No matter how your child
was brought into your family, it doesn't not change the way that your family will eventually
flourish into.

4. What adjustments would having children require in Steven and Carol's

relationship?
Within Carol and Stevens relationship communication is key as they deal with the struggles that
they face. It is important that they continue to express their emotions with each other so they
remain in tune with one another and are able to overcome possible obstacles that they might
encounter. It's also important that they make time for their children and focus on how they will
make time in their careers for their children. A system should be made in order for them to have
a steady schedule. It's important that both parents are around for the children's life so ensuring
that their professions align with one another. An adjustment they might have to make is the
home that they are living in depending if it is suitable for the family that theta restarting and also
to ensure that they are stable financially to support the children. Another adjustment they will
have to overcome would be the restricted time with friends and family. Now that there is a child
in the picture that comes with huge responsibility which will consume most of their time.
Adjusting to this change may be hard for them. Steven and Carol may also have to adjust to the
club that they have started. It's important that they still continue to share their experiences and
positivity with those who are struggling just as they were. Ensuring that time is saved to attend
to that is important. In conclusion, adding a new member to the family is a huge adjustment that
will take getting used to. All the sacrifices you make will help your family to truly flourish.