Reflection essay on “Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent”

This article has detailed clearly regarding the topic of ‘single fathers by choice,’ which are basically referring to the heterosexual men or gay males who aggressively opt to become a parent alone by adopting a child. However, there is a great increasing phenomenon appears where these gay males prefer to have their own baby by two alternatives which are surrogacy and egg donation. The article has explored as well the experiences of single fathers along with the motivations for those males to choose in having a child throughout surrogacy and what were the decisions that have involved in this pathway.

Summative Critical Review

The main Arguments and Evidence Presented by the Article

The main argument presented by the authors in this article is regarding the phenomenon of ‘single fathers by choice.’ The term ‘single fathers by choice’ refers to gay males or heterosexual men who have appeared to aggressively choose to become a single parent by using the method of adopting a child in previous days. However, in these modern days, there are some new marvels that have turned out to become their most preferences in being a single father, which is by surrogacy and egg donation.

A piece of evidence has also added in this article which presented that the single fathers have generally enjoyed the higher incomes, well educated, more social facilities, and more steady employment. This article has explored more on the life experiences of the single fathers, along with their motivations and decisions for having their child by using the method of surrogacy.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Article

One of the strengths of this article is that, it is the first study to explore the life experiences along with the motivations and decisions of those single men who eventually choose to become a single father. Another strength was from how the article has clear the research by conducting an investigation of single fathers’ surrogacy families which resided in Italy. This investigation was conducted to get the qualitative analysis regarding the reasons from those single fathers in parenting alone throughout surrogacy which are:

·         Right timing

·         The feeling of being adequately encouraged to proceed

·         Desire to reproduce

·         Fear of separation or divorce

 The article also has included some explanations from review of literature that come from some valid resources. Completing the research, this article has also represented the feelings a, as well as the reactions from the single fathers after they have chosen the method of surrogacy and get the child.

On the other hand, the weakness from this article is that, the research was not including clear evidence of how this surrogacy method would benefit these single fathers in having their child if compare with adoption procedure. This comparison could be a more convincing argument to add the reasons for the single fathers to choose the surrogacy method.

How the article contribute to a broad understanding of the issues

This article has given a broad understanding for the context of the ‘single fathers by choice’ by presenting specific reasons for those men who have chosen this way. The article has clearly turned out to become the first article that studied regarding this topic and has detailed properly the life experiences, the reasons, along with the reactions from the single fathers who have chosen the method of surrogacy to get their child. One interesting concept was also mentioned in the discussion part of this article which is, “the decision to conceive without a partner was complex and carefully considered, and one that was taken following discussion with family, friends, health practitioners and other single fathers.” (Carone, Baiocco, & Lingiardi, 2017)

References “Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent”

Carone, N., Baiocco, R., & Lingiardi, V. (2017). Single fathers by choice using surrogacy: why men decide to have a child as a single parent. Human reproduction, 1871-1879.