My Thoughts on Surrogacy

When it comes to marriages and the process of childbirth, one of the topics that usually sparks debate is surrogacy. The reason for that, I believe, is because people have different strong opinions regarding if it's right or wrong, ethical or has crossed the line. For me personally, I see it as a paradox, and that's because to me it's, in one way, a blessing and, on the other hand, a complex issue that raises ethical and emotional concerns. In this article, I'll be shedding more light on both sides of my opinion and as well talk extensively on surrogacy.

To start with, I guess I should start by defining what surrogacy is. To my understanding, I believe surrogacy is an agreement or arrangement where a woman helps another person or a couple to carry their pregnancy and also helps give birth to the child. There are several reasons why people resolve to surrogacy, such as health risk, previous traumatic birth experience, career or lifestyle considerations, same-sex couples or single parents, age-related infertility, medical infertility, and many others.

So would I ever do or get involved in surrogacy? It's with nothing that on a normal day I won't consider surrogacy to give birth to my children, but paraventure one of those issues I highlighted above plays out, then I'll know surrogacy is my only option, and that's why I'm doing it, because I love children and would love to have mine, which are my flesh and blood, but then it's worth noting that it's all still down to some factors, such as if I have the financial ability to do some or the legal framework surrounding it; parenting is an emotional journey, and that's why most people want the experience of the process, but if it'll in one way or another affect one's health, then surrogacy isn't entirely bad.

Talking about if I can be a surrogate for someone else or not, well, I guess that one is evidently clear that I can't because I'm a man and only women can do that, but peradventure I were a woman, I don't think I could do such; I can imagine carrying a child for nine months and going through all of those emotions only to hand it over to someone. It just doesn't go well with me, but if anyone can do it, it's fine; it's their opinion, body, and emotions that's on the line, not mine.

But then is it ethical? I won't be picking a side on this aspect, and that's because I believe the ethics of surrogacy depend on the circumstances at hand. When everything goes smoothly and respects every party involved, then it's definitely fine; however, when women are being exploited because of their ability to go through labor procedures, which is purely transactional, then I'll say it's not ideal. Everything must favor all parties for it to be deemed ethical.

On the last aspect of this prompt that talks about if surrogacy should be abandoned for traditional childbearing, here is my take: I, for one, understand that traditional childbearing is natural and what was done in the past; it's worth noting that a lot of women out there don't have the capability to go through labor procedures and the trauma that comes with it, and that's why surrogacy provides them with an option to make them have children they desire even though they can't go through the process themselves. I don't agree with the fact that it should be abandoned; it's a blessing to those who can't give birth naturally due to medical reasons or women whose bodies are their office, such as models and the like, and getting pregnant and going through labor would hinder or ultimately ruin their bodies, making them unable to do such professions again.

In conclusion, it's worth knowing that surrogacy is a personal choice, and I, for one, respect those who choose to walk down that path; however, what matters in the process is that there must be clear ethical guidelines so people won't start kidnapping women and turning them into baby factories, seeing that as a business opportunity to enrich themselves, not caring about the surrogate. That's about it for now.

All photos are taken and edited on canva.