Blog Post:
The Role of the Surrogate vs Adoptive Parent
When a couple or individual is unable to conceive a child on their own, they often turn to alternative methods such as surrogacy or adoption to fulfill their desire for parenthood. While both surrogacy and adoption involve bringing a child into a family, the roles of the surrogate and adoptive parent differ greatly. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between the two roles and the unique challenges and rewards that each one brings.
Surrogacy, also known as gestational surrogacy, is when a woman carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple. This can be done through traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own egg, or gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created using the intended parent’s sperm and egg or donated sperm and egg. The surrogate’s role is to carry and give birth to the child, but she does not have any legal or biological ties to the child. On the other hand, adoption is the legal process of transferring parental rights and responsibilities from a child’s biological parents to adoptive parents.
One of the main differences between surrogacy and adoption is the involvement of genetics. In surrogacy, the child is genetically related to one or both of the intended parents, while in adoption, the child is not biologically related to the adoptive parents. This can have a significant impact on the parent-child relationship and the child’s sense of identity. Surrogacy can also involve a more complex legal process, as the surrogate’s rights and intentions must be carefully considered and outlined in a contract.
Another difference is the level of involvement of the surrogate or adoptive parent in the child’s life after birth. In surrogacy, the intended parents are typically heavily involved throughout the pregnancy, attending doctor’s appointments and creating a relationship with the surrogate. However, after the child is born, the level of involvement can vary depending on the agreement between the parties involved. Some surrogates may choose to have an ongoing relationship with the child and the intended parents, while others may prefer to have no further contact.
The Role of the Surrogate vs Adoptive Parent
In adoption, the adoptive parents are usually involved throughout the entire process, from the initial application to the finalization of the adoption. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents become the child’s legal parents, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with parenthood. In most cases, the biological parents have little to no involvement in the child’s life after the adoption is complete.
Both surrogacy and adoption come with their own set of challenges and rewards. For surrogates, the physical and emotional toll of carrying a child for someone else can be significant. They must also navigate complex legal and emotional boundaries, as they are not the child’s legal parents. However, surrogates also have the satisfaction of helping someone else create a family and experience the joy of parenthood.
Adoptive parents may face challenges such as navigating the adoption process, dealing with potential issues related to the child’s background and adjusting to parenthood. However, they also have the privilege of providing a child with a loving and stable home and the opportunity to create a lifelong bond with their child.
In terms of legal rights and responsibilities, the roles of surrogates and adoptive parents also differ. In surrogacy, the intended parents are responsible for all medical expenses related to the pregnancy and childbirth, as well as paying the surrogate for her services. However, they are not considered the child’s legal parents until they go through a legal process such as adoption or a parental order. In adoption, the adoptive parents are responsible for all expenses related to the adoption, such as legal fees and adoption agency fees. Once the adoption is finalized, they have all the same legal rights and responsibilities as biological parents.
In conclusion, while both surrogacy and adoption involve bringing a child into a family, the roles of the surrogate and adoptive parent are different. Surrogacy involves the physical act of carrying and giving birth to a child, while adoption is the legal process of becoming a child’s parent. Each role comes with its own unique challenges and rewards, but both surrogacy and adoption have the power to bring immense joy and fulfillment to those involved.
Summary:
Surrogacy and adoption are two methods used by individuals and couples to fulfill their desire for parenthood. While both involve bringing a child into a family, the roles of the surrogate and adoptive parent differ greatly. Surrogacy involves the physical act of carrying and giving birth to a child, while adoption is the legal process of becoming a child’s parent. The involvement of genetics, level of involvement in the child’s life, and legal rights and responsibilities also differ between the two methods. Each role comes with its own unique challenges and rewards, but both surrogacy and adoption have the power to bring immense joy and fulfillment to those involved.