Broken Bonds
Surrogate Mothers Speak Out
By Jennifer Lahl, Melinda Tankard Reist, Renate Klein (eds) | Publisher: Spinifex Press
About the book
Around the world thousands of couples and singles procure babies through surrogacy arrangements. Many people see surrogacy as driven by compassion for those who desire a baby. But where is the compassion for the 'surrogate' mothers and their babies?
Who are the faceless, nameless women who nurture and give birth to these babies or provide eggs often at great cost to themselves? Women who are left with empty arms and leaking breasts after delivery? The surrogacy industry calls them ‘special angels’ who ‘make miracles possible’, giving ‘an extraordinary gift’. IVF clinics call them ‘gestational surrogates’. The intended parents have promised them healthcare, full reimbursement, and ongoing contact with the baby. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything. Because surrogacy violates the human rights of the women whose bodies are used, and the children who are born. Because it is a fundamentally flawed and misogynist concept to imagine that women are interchangeable. And it is wishful thinking that watertight legal contracts and counselling can fix this.
In this book, strong and courageous women from the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, India, Georgia, Hungary and Russia share their true stories of becoming ‘surrogate’ mothers egg donors. Their stories are tragic, shocking, and revelatory of a profit-driven industry that preys on desperation and women’s compassion.
Editions of Broken Bonds
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781925581553
Read an Excerpt
Around the world thousands of couples and singles procure babies through surrogacy arrangements. Many people see surrogacy as driven by compassion for those who desire a baby. But where is the compassion for the 'surrogate' mothers and their babies?
Who are the faceless, nameless women who nurture and give birth to these babies or provide eggs often at great cost to themselves? Women who are left with empty arms and leaking breasts after delivery? The surrogacy industry calls them ‘special angels’ who ‘make miracles possible’, giving ‘an extraordinary gift’. IVF clinics call them ‘gestational surrogates’. The intended parents have promised them healthcare, full reimbursement, and ongoing contact with the baby. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything. Because surrogacy violates the human rights of the women whose bodies are used, and the children who are born. Because it is a fundamentally flawed and misogynist concept to imagine that women are interchangeable. And it is wishful thinking that watertight legal contracts and counselling can fix this.
In this book, strong and courageous women from the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, India, Georgia, Hungary and Russia share their true stories of becoming ‘surrogate’ mothers egg donors. Their stories are tragic, shocking, and revelatory of a profit-driven industry that preys on desperation and women’s compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Broken Bonds about?
Around the world thousands of couples and singles procure babies through surrogacy arrangements. Many people see surrogacy as driven by compassion for those who desire a baby. But where is the compassion for the 'surrogate' mothers and their babies?
Who are the faceless, nameless women who nurture and give birth to these babies or provide eggs often at great cost to themselves? Women who are left with empty arms and leaking breasts after delivery? The surrogacy industry calls them ‘special angels’ who ‘make miracles possible’, giving ‘an extraordinary gift’. IVF clinics call them ‘gestational surrogates’. The intended parents have promised them healthcare, full reimbursement, and ongoing contact with the baby. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything. Because surrogacy violates the human rights of the women whose bodies are used, and the children who are born. Because it is a fundamentally flawed and misogynist concept to imagine that women are interchangeable. And it is wishful thinking that watertight legal contracts and counselling can fix this.
In this book, strong and courageous women from the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, India, Georgia, Hungary and Russia share their true stories of becoming ‘surrogate’ mothers egg donors. Their stories are tragic, shocking, and revelatory of a profit-driven industry that preys on desperation and women’s compassion.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Broken Bonds?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > True stories / true accounts of events
Where can I read a sample of Broken Bonds?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781925581553
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Broken Bonds?
Jennifer Lahl, Melinda Tankard Reist, Renate Klein (eds)
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Broken Bonds is available as paperback(ISBN 9781925581553)
Is there a video of the book?
Watch a video about Broken Bonds here