Virtual communities created around reproductive donation: simulation of human contact?

Abstract

There is a large online presence of Spanish women participating in reproductive donation, creatiing different types of families through this process. This article addresses the following two questions regarding this phenomenon: First, why are assisted reproduction communities composed mainly, if not solely, of female participants? Second, what kind of relationships and roles do these communities prompt among their members? The paper then prsents hypotheses exploring the emergence and continuing existence of these online communities in the Spanish context. This context is defined as one with increasing participation in assisted reproduction, yet lacking in resources to support women throughout the assisted reproduction process.

Keywords

• Mujeres
• Comunidades virtuales
• Reproducción asistida
• Relaciones sociales
• Modelos de familia