Experiences of pressure to have children among mothers in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Pregnancy and childbirth are viewed as both an event and a marker of womanhood and a key reason for marriage in Ghana. Consequently, women often encounter substantial pressure to have a child, particularly within the context of marriage. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with thirteen women in Ghana, this study explores the pressure to have a child irrespective of fertility status. The study demonstrates that community members consistently scrutinize and assess the bodies of participants, remaining vigilant for any signs indicating pregnancy. Additionally, women experience both internal and external pressures to have children. Interestingly, not all participants desired immediate pregnancy after marriage, and some were not entirely content upon discovering their first pregnancy. The findings underscore the necessity for public education aimed at shifting the responsibility placed on women to bear children. There is a crucial need to educate individuals to refrain from intrusive behaviors such as questioning why a woman has not yet given birth.