Offspring searching for their sperm donors: how family type shapes the process.
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND This study examines the findings from the largest survey to date of donor-inseminated (DI) offspring and focuses on respondents' learning of the method of their conception and their desire to contact their donor. METHODS Online questionnaires were completed by 741 DI offspring, of whom 61.8% have heterosexual parents and 38.2% have lesbian parents. Respondents were recruited via the Donor Sibling Registry, a non-profit US-based international registry that facilitates communication between donor-conceived offspring and their non-biological and biological relatives. Data were collected on family composition, offspring's feelings regarding the method of their conception, communication within families, donor anonymity and their search for their donors. This investigation focuses on the relationship between family type (single or dual-parent and lesbian or heterosexual parent/s) and offspring's reactions to learning of their DI conception. RESULTS Offspring of lesbian parents learned of their DI origins at earlier ages than offspring of heterosexual parents. In the latter families, disclosure tended to occur earlier in single-parent than in dual-parent families. Disclosure was most likely to be confusing to offspring of heterosexual parents, particularly when it occurred at an older age. The vast majority of offspring in all types of families desired contact with their donor; however, comfort in expressing curiosity regarding one's donor was lowest in dual-parent heterosexual families, with about one-quarter reporting an inability to discuss their origins with their social father. CONCLUSIONS Although the findings are not based on a random sample, the desire among offspring surveyed here is for greater openness and contact with their donor. A variety of strategies are needed for offspring of heterosexual couples to benefit optimally from the general trend toward openness in gamete donation.
منابع مشابه
I-14: The Impact of Disclosure Decisions on Donor Gamete Participants: Donors, Intended Parents and Offspring
To discuss the psychological impact of disclosure decisions on donor gamete participants including gamete donors, intended parents, and the children conceived through these third party reproductive techniques. In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase worldwide in the number of children born as a result of gamete donation. The growing demand for these programs has resulted in a tre...
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متن کاملSperm donors describe the experience of contact with their donor-conceived offspring
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متن کاملOocyte and sperm donors' opinions on the acceptable number of offspring.
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STUDY QUESTION What are oocyte donors and sperm donors' attitudes towards disclosure and relationship to donor offspring? SUMMARY ANSWER Oocyte and sperm donors in an identity-release donor programme support disclosure to donor offspring and have overall positive or neutral attitudes towards future contact with offspring. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is a global trend towards open-identity g...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Human reproduction
دوره 26 9 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2011