Reproductive Identity: An Emerging Concept

Deciding whether or not to become a parent is a developmental milestone in the adult life course yet the specific term of reproductive identity is not commonplace. Significant demographic shifts in fertility and the social ideals of self-realization have impacted how reproduction is performed and families are structured, particularly for women and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) communities. Like gender and sexuality, reproduction is a healthy aspect of human expression to be openly explored, destigmatized, and self-authored. This article will review relevant identity development theories and propose a preliminary definition for the emerging concept of reproductive identity. Implications for research, education, and counseling will be considered. Public Significance Statement This article presents a new concept known as reproductive identity that mirrors preexisting models of human identity such as race, gender, and sexuality. Educators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers may use this novel term to explore how individuals realize parenthood or nonparenthood, develop their reproductive identity, and integrate it into their overall sense of self.