CHILDREN FROM ANONYMOUS DONORS - AN INQUIRY INTO HOMOSEXUAL AND HETEROSEXUAL PARENTS ATTITUDES

This study compared two groups of homosexual and heterosexual parents with respect to their attitudes towards the donor-origin of their chil dren. All couples had applied at the Fertility Clinic for artificial i nsemination with anonymous donor sperm (AID). Both groups had used ano nymous donors in order to conceive. However, the sexual orientation of the parents and the presence or absence of a social father was differ ent in the two groups. By comparing such different families it was hop ed to obtain insight into those factors which influence parents' attit udes concerning donor insemination. Twenty-five lesbian and 25 heteros exual parents were interviewed. The open-ended questionnaires solicite d information on the following issues: attitudes towards secrecy/discl osure of the use of a donor, views on anonymity/ identity registration of the donor, parents' cognitive and emotional representation of the donor. Response rates differed between the groups: all homosexual pare nts consented to the interview and 44% of the heterosexual parents did so. Parents' attitudes depended on several variables. The different f amily structures were related to different motivations for AID treatme nt. For heterosexual couples, the use of a donor offered them the oppo rtunity to become a 'normal family'. For homosexual couples, creating a two-mother family unit meant going one step further in 'being differ ent'. Attitudes towards the use of a donor were consequently different : heterosexual couples chose secrecy and donor anonymity. Homosexual p arents intended to inform their children. Of these homosexual parents, 40% would prefer the identity of the donor to be registered. This evo lution towards removal of the anonymity seemed to be encouraged by the openness surrounding the use of a donor itself. In both groups it rem ained difficult to reduce the donor to an anonymous sperm cell, fantas ies and questions about the donor continued to exist over the years.