Catherine Jones, Vasanti Jadva, Sophie Zadeh
This study provides new insight into single fathers' approaches to disclosure. Fathers felt strongly about disclosing, and many had begun to reflect on how to approach disclosure. Fathers considered at what age to disclose, they deliberated about their choice of terminology, and felt resources, such as books, were helpful aids for disclosure. The findings have relevance for fertility and parenting counsellors working with single fathers.
AIMS/BACKGROUND: Research has shown that children born through surrogacy to heterosexual and gay couples are often told about this at an early age. However, to our knowledge no studies have explored how single fathers approach telling and talking about their route to parenthood with their children conceived via surrogacy and egg donation.
DESIGN/METHODS: The current sample comprises twenty-one fathers of children aged 4 months to 6-years-old who were born using surrogacy and egg donation. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with fathers about their experiences of telling their child about their surrogacy birth. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: All the fathers had disclosed or intended to disclose. Two overarching themes were identified: personal considerations and practical considerations. Within each overarching theme, fathers' narratives centred around motivations to disclose, their approach, and the content of disclosure conversations. Nine further subthemes were identified.
CONCLUSION: This study provides new insight into single fathers' approaches to disclosure. Fathers felt strongly about disclosing, and many had begun to reflect on how to approach disclosure. Fathers considered at what age to disclose, they deliberated about their choice of terminology, and felt resources, such as books, were helpful aids for disclosure. The findings have relevance for fertility and parenting counsellors working with single fathers.