Socially, one of the strongest issues opposing people may have with surrogacy is figuring out what the main reason is the surrogate may be performing this duty for. Many assume and conclude that it is solely for the money, but there are countless reasons why surrogate mothers perform this hard job for infertile couples. One of the more popular reasons that surrogates themselves give for performing this duty is for the act of helping those who need it. In a Time magazine article, one surrogate claims her reason for going through with this treatment was she had “‘very easy pregnancies…and [she] didn’t think it would be a problem for [her] to carry another child. [She] figured maybe [she] could help someone.’ And then there was the lure of the $10,000 fee. ‘The money could help pay for [her] children’s education…or just generally to make their lives better’” (Wallis, Galvin). As this surrogate expressed, the money she received from going through with this job will help her family positively, but she also keeps in mind to spread to wealth of her ability to reproduce. True, the money is a great upside for the surrogate by performing this job, but firsthand, people have to have faith in believing that surrogate has altruistic motives. Each surrogate mother is different, but it is not fair for society to assume what their motives may be. Each decision made between the surrogate and the seeking parents are personal, and each case is under different circumstances. Desperate couples turn to those who have the ability to help, and surrogates are ready and able to. Although money may be a great motive for the surrogate, seeking couples are looking for people who have a desire to help them from the kindness of their hearts.
What About Adoption?
Another social counterargument that the public may hold against surrogacy is the choice to use this reproductive treatment when adoption is an excellent way to receive such a desired child, while at the same time saving them from future foster care systems. Obviously there are children out there that were not blessed with parents capable enough to raise them who need dedicated people to bring them up. However, adoption, like surrogacy, is a personal choice and should only be pursued if a couple has a desire to save a child, rather than creating one that is biologically theirs. To avoid standing out in the crowd, the seeking parents may wish to stray from adopting a child that lacks similar characteristics. One reason couples may choose to reproduce may be to get that satisfaction and enjoyment of bringing a person into the world to carry on their characteristics. Surrogates are promising sources to provide couples with a child that possess identical biological traits. Parents receive a sort of pleasure when they see a resemblance between them and their child. People are praised for taking children in through adoption, but there is nothing like looking at your own child and being fulfilled with the simple fact that they will continue to grow and develop more similarities to yourself. Surrogacy is a perfect way for infertile couples to get a biologically identical child. Although it may raise controversy in society, whatever way couples choose to reproduce should remain a personal decision without much scrutinizing from the public.
A Tool for Homosexuals
More and more, the gay community has begun to impact society. There is a never ending battle of same-sex rights, especially marriage and parenting. One of the more recent breakthroughs in the gay community has been the use of surrogacy by two men in order to have a child. As the controversy of homosexuality goes, there is an aspect of nature vs. nurture and whether or not people choose to be gay or are gay from the time of birth. There is not a special “cure” for homosexuals. If men have an uncontrollable attraction to men, the public can’t ban them from using tools to live a life as close to a heterosexual person as they can. When gays make promises, legally or not, they want to pursue a life together with no strings attached. Children are an important aspect in the lives of many that want to have a family. Adoption has been hard for gay men to overcome, primarily because of the recent laws passed by adoption agencies prohibiting them from participating in the adoption process. Surrogacy has been that process that they have not been banned use from. Some don’t have a choice of their sexual orientation, so surrogacy should remain a constant form a reproduction for those who wish to have children. The American Psychiatric Association has observed “there are no developmental differences between children raised by homosexuals or heterosexuals, ‘in intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, popularity with friends, development of social sex role identity or development of sexual orientation.’” Children raised by gay parents are not affected negatively, as the stereotype may point out. But surrogacy is a reproduction treatment that can fulfill the lives of many, homosexual or not.
Ethical Issues
Surrogacy & Religion
Society may question the ethical morals behind the practice of surrogacy. In Genesis chapter 16 from the Bible, Abraham and Sarah are forced to look to other means to reproduce due to Sarah’s infertile body. They turn to their servant, Hagar, to bare her body for nine months so she may carry their child. Due to the fact that they didn’t have artificial insemination at the time, this required that Abraham perform sexual intercourse in order for her to become pregnant. Without compensation, Hagar conceived and was ordered to give the child over to Abraham and Sarah once it was born. In her website article, teacher Grayce Storey looks into both sides of the ethical issue regarding surrogacy. Upon first thought of this treatment, people may perceive it as going against God’s Will by the parents acting with selfish motives. One important point to keep in mind is there is no clear scripture where God condones surrogacy. Inspecting this scripture more closely, the readers become aware of the distress and emotional confusion that Hagar experienced: Why should she be required and forced by Hagar to give her own child to be considered his and Elizabeth’s, without recognition or compensation of any kind? Storey goes on to observe that “considering all of the pain and heartache associated with surrogacy in the Bible the scenarios emphatically point out man choosing to be selfish” (Storey). There are alternative options for infertile couples, but those who oppose this treatment consider the potential parents as just thinking about themselves by putting another woman through all the physical and mental discomforts she endures. It brings attention to the way people may act selfishly; but in modern-day infertile treatments, the surrogate mother decides if she wants to perform this duty for the couple and she is well compensated for her physical hardships. Pregnancy is not an easy task for most women, but those who are willing to be surrogates know how they are putting their body at risk and they continue to be dedicated to helping infertile couples.
Legal Issues
Ensure Justice
There have been reported cases that the media has focused much attention on about surrogate mothers not abiding by original contracts. Such cases have lacked professionals to guide them through the process to keep on track. Psychological issues may overcome the surrogate mother forcing her to change her mind once the child is born. The “Baby M” case is a prime example that depicts many peoples’ perceptions about surrogacy. However, research needs to be done by seeking parents to work with trustworthy agencies in order for things to run as smoothly as possible. Psychologist Janice Ciccarelli makes it clear in her journal article that most cases are successful if and when agencies provide “well-trained mental health and legal professionals [that] can minimize both the contractual disasters and the milder, but still painful, long-term feelings of regret of some birth mothers” (Ciccarelli 40). More times than not, there will be emotional hardships faced by either the surrogate, the potential parents, or both, so the use of psychological screenings can’t be anything but useful. Although legal issue may sway a person’s argument about surrogacy, there are things to prevent the contracts being dismissed and either party being affected negatively. The contracts are there to primarily provide justice for both the surrogate and the seeking parents, but the use of psychological screenings should be consistent in order to keep the process on track
In Conclusion
Surrogacy does in fact take a lot of emotional strength and physical dedication. It isn’t necessarily the easiest way to get a child, but it can be done. There are so many cases that have been successful in providing parents with what they have wanted the most for a long time. Happiness, fulfillment, satisfaction are all rewarded to both the surrogate and the seeking parents. Infertility is indeed a great emotional hardship that takes hope to get through. Surrogates are women that can change the lives of others. Although controversial socially, ethically, and legally, taking the right steps and finding the right woman to perform the duty is what makes this process so successful. Professionals and people with experience are the ones to depend on for the best advice regarding this issue. No one thing can satisfy everyone in this world, but surrogacy is a reproductive treatment that infertile couples can depend on.
References
Ciccarelli, Janice C. “Navigating Rough Waters: An Overview of Psychological Aspects of Surrogacy.” Journal of Social Issues 61 (March 2005): 21-40
James, Susan Donaldson. “More Gay Men Choose Surrogacy to Have Children.” abcNews. 12 March 2008. 24 April 2009.
Storey, Grayce P. “Ethical Problems Surrounding Surrogate Motherhood.” Yale-New Teachers Institute. 25 March 2009.
Wallis, Claudia, and Galvin, Ruth Mehrtens. “A Surrogate’s Story.” Time. 10 Sept. 1984. 31 March 2009.
