Pride and concern: differences between sperm and egg donors with respect to responsibility for their donor-conceived offspring

Abstract

Comparative research on sperm donors and egg donors in the United States suggests that while men view themselves as fathers of their offspring, women do not view themselves as mothers. Comparative research suggests as well that men and women are equally interested in contact with offspring, equally curious about them, and equally likely to hold themselves responsible for those offspring. This paper re-examines these differences and similarities using data from a survey of donors who registered on a third-party website with hopes of having some contact with their genetic offspring. Our findings suggest that women and men offer similar reasons for donating and similar assessments of the experience. Yet, the two groups have developed quite different patterns of interest in their offspring. The men create a sense of “prideful lineage” rather than fatherhood. The women create a pattern of feeling that involves “concerned responsibility” rather than motherhood.

Keywords

• sperm donors
• egg donors
• gender