Public Attitudes About Surrogate Motherhood

Though much has been written about various new reproductive technologies, little systematic attention has been given to understanding public attitudes about their propriety. General sentiment relative to these technologies is an important indicator of the social support that may be expected both by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Michigan sociological review 1992-10 (6), p.15-27
Main Author: Weiss, Gregory L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Feminism
Infants
Motherhood
Mothers
Pregnancy
Reproductive technology
School prayer
Social policy
Surrogacy
Women
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Summary:Though much has been written about various new reproductive technologies, little systematic attention has been given to understanding public attitudes about their propriety. General sentiment relative to these technologies is an important indicator of the social support that may be expected both by those performing and those utilizing them and offers insight into public policy debate. In order to measure support for one of these technologies, surrogate motherhood, a public opinion survey using personal interviews was conducted with 400 randomly selected residents in a medium-sized community in eastern United States. Attitudes about the propriety of surrogate motherhood are divided, but a majority disapprove. Opposition is most common among those with traditionally conservative views on social policy issues (the elderly and those favoring school prayer and opposing abortion). Those approving of surrogate motherhood are more likely to believe a contested baby should go to the contracting couple. Plausible explanations for these patterns are discussed but need to be empirically tested in future research.
ISSN:1934-7111