Un/familiar connections: on the relevance of a sociology of personal life for exploring egg and sperm donation

The dangers of being a sperm donor

This article argues that that there are two important reasons why many potential donors refrain from donating and why many donors value not being outed as a sperm donor. The first reason is the stigma attached to sperm donation. The second is the attribution of fatherhood to the donor. Attributional fatherhood is based on the rejection of the basic rule underlying the practice of sperm donation, i.e. the donor is not the father of the offspring. Attributional fatherhood ascribes the status of father exclusively on the basis of the genetic connection between the donor and the offspring. The violation of the 'responsible father' rule generates moral blame and may result in conflicts, disapproval and rejection. The presence of this view in different groups is demonstrated. Possible solutions for this issue are briefly presented. Given the geneticization of relationships in society in general, this phenomenon may increase in the future, thus putting pressure on the practice of sperm donation.