Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent
Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent
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DOI：
10.1093/humrep/dex245
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发表时间：
2017-09-01
影响因子：
6.1
通讯作者：
Lingiardi, Vittorio
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Carone, Nicola;Baiocco, Roberto;Lingiardi, Vittorio
研究问题：为什么男性决定以单亲身份通过代孕生孩子？简要答复：原因包括感觉到这是正确的时间（即已经“解决”了对单亲的担忧;职业和财务稳定;害怕变老;不再想等待“正确的”关系），外部鼓励，繁殖的愿望和对分居/离婚的恐惧。由于没有对使用代孕的单身父亲进行过研究，因此他们的特征，动机和经验尚不清楚。研究设计，规模，持续时间：本研究采用横断面设计，作为一个更大的，多方法，多知情人调查的一部分，由代孕创建的单身父亲家庭。在2016年11月至2017年4月期间，使用多种策略招募参与者（即来自同性恋父母协会，单亲父母Facebook群组和滚雪球）。数据来自33位意大利单身父亲（平均年龄= 47.33岁，标准差= 4.63），其中大多数人自认为是同性恋（n = 24，72.7%）。参与者/材料，设置，方法：在家庭住宅（n = 20，60.6%）或通过Skype（n = 13，39.4%）进行深入的半结构化访谈。每次访谈持续约40分钟，并进行录音、逐字记录，并借助MAXQDA软件包进行专题和定性内容分析。在适当的情况下，双侧Fisher精确检验用于比较同性恋和异性恋父亲，并报告了说明性的报价。主要结果和机会的作用：尽管所有的单身男性都有过成熟的恋爱经历，但大约三分之一的父亲（n = 10，30.3%）从未想过要孩子，大多数异性恋男性（n = 7，77.8%，P = 0.05）在以前的关系中试图怀孕。男同性恋者和异性恋者在他们的首选途径不同的父母（P = 0.01），与前者（n = 17，70.8%）一直首选代孕和后者（n = 6，66.7%）考虑或试图通过与女性的随意性行为的概念。无论他们的性取向如何，大多数父亲选择代孕是因为他们希望与孩子有遗传关系（n = 28，84.8%），因为他们认为代孕比收养更安全，因为意大利法律（n = 26，78.7%）规定他们返回意大利。大多数人（n = 20，60.6%）对他们“独自一人”的决定感到满意，尽管几乎所有人（n = 16，80%）都更愿意在一段关系中生孩子。在孩子出生后，大多数人都得到了父母/兄弟姐妹（n = 21，63.7%）和朋友（n = 24，72.7%）的支持。限制，回避的原因：在解释调查结果时，应考虑到社会期望响应的风险，考虑到围绕单身父亲和代孕的伦理问题。此外，有负面代孕经历的父亲不太可能参与这项研究。小样本和参与者的年龄较大，意大利国籍，主要是同性恋性取向和高收入的特点可能会限制的普遍性的调查结果。更广泛的影响的调查结果：这项研究是第一次提供洞察单身男性寻求代孕的生殖经验。研究结果警告从业者和政策制定者不要根据婚姻状况、性别或性取向对获得生育治疗的人做出假设。研究资金/竞争兴趣：无。
STUDY QUESTION: Why do men decide to have a child by surrogacy as a single parent?SUMMARY ANSWER: Reasons included feeling that it was the right time (i.e. having 'worked through' concerns about single parenthood; career and financial stability; a fear of getting older; no longer wanting to wait for the 'right' relationship), external encouragement, a desire to reproduce and a fear of separation/divorce.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Because no research has been conducted on single fathers who used surrogacy, their characteristics, motivations and experiences are unknown.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study used a cross-sectional design as part of a larger, multi-method, multi-informant investigation of single father families created by surrogacy. Multiple strategies were used to recruit participants (i.e. from an association of gay parents, Facebook groups of single parents and snowballing) between November 2016 and April 2017. Data were obtained from 33 Italian single fathers (Mean(age) = 47.33 years, SD = 4.63), most of whom self-identified as gay (n = 24, 72.7%).PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in family homes (n = 20, 60.6%) or over Skype (n = 13, 39.4%). Each interview lasted approximately 40 min and was audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic and qualitative content analysis, with the aid of the software package MAXQDA. Where appropriate, a two-sided Fisher's exact test was used to compare the gay and heterosexual fathers, and illustrative quotations were reported.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Although all of the single men had experienced mature relationships, about one-third of the fathers (n = 10, 30.3%) had never thought of having a child and the majority of the heterosexual men (n = 7, 77.8%, P = 0.05) had tried to conceive in previous relationships. The gay and heterosexual men differed in their preferred path to parenthood (P = 0.01), with the former (n = 17, 70.8%) having always preferred surrogacy and the latter (n = 6, 66.7%) having considered or attempted conception via casual sex with women. Irrespective of their sexual orientation, most of the fathers chose surrogacy because they wanted a genetic relation to their child (n = 28, 84.8%) and because they felt that surrogacy would be more secure compared to adoption, upon their return to Italy due to Italian laws (n = 26, 78.7%). The majority (n = 20, 60.6%) were satisfied with their decision to 'go it alone', although nearly all (n = 16, 80%) would have preferred to have a child within the context of a relationship. After their child's birth, the majority received support from both their parents/siblings (n = 21, 63.7%) and friends (n = 24, 72.7%).LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The risk of socially desirable responding should be taken into account when interpreting the findings, given the ethical concerns surrounding single fatherhood and surrogacy. Furthermore, fathers with a negative surrogacy experience were less likely to participate in this research. The small sample and participant characteristics of older age, an Italian nationality, a mainly gay sexual orientation and high income may limit the generalizability of the findings.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study is the first to provide insight into the reproductive experience of single men seeking surrogacy. The findings warn practitioners and policy-makers against making assumptions about people with access to fertility treatments on the basis of marital status, gender or sexual orientation.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): None.