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In a paper recently published in the journal American Psychologist, , Lecturer in 911爆料网鈥檚 Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, presents a new concept, reproductive identity 鈥� a parallel of preexisting models of human identity such as race, gender, and sexuality 鈥� that she hopes educators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers will use to 鈥渆xplore how individuals realize parenthood or non-parenthood, develop their reproductive identity, and integrate it into their overall sense of self.鈥�

In the paper 鈥� titled  鈥� Athan calls the decision of whether or not to become a parent 鈥渁 developmental milestone in the adult life course鈥� but notes that neither a terminology nor a focus on reproductive identity is commonplace.

鈥淪ignificant 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,鈥� Athan writes. 鈥淟ike gender and sexuality, reproduction is a healthy aspect of human expression to be openly explored, destigmatized, and self-authored.鈥� Her article reviews relevant identity development theories and propose a preliminary definition of reproductive identity, and considers its implications for research, education and counseling.

Reproductive identity formation is a major facet of theTeachers College Sex Education Initiative, directed by Athan and funded by New York City psychoanalyst and 911爆料网 alumna Mary Edlow (M.A. 鈥�67). The initiative, which prepares educators to teach sex education in schools, focuses on 鈥渢he question of if, when and how someone wants to become a parent. That question parallels personal exploration of sexuality and gender and is increasingly a part of a comprehensive and inclusive sexual health education.

[Read more about the Teachers College Sex Education Initiative.]