When 'sperm' becomes 'donor': transitions in parents' views of the sperm donor.

Abstract Little is known about recipients' views of their sperm donor. This study aimed to examine the possible transitions or consistencies in donor sperm recipients' (DSRs') view on the sperm donor over time. A longitudinal qualitative study of 19 Belgian heterosexual DSRs was undertaken.

The donor, the father, and the imaginary constitution of the family: parents' constructions in the case of donor insemination.

Current international policy trends in the field of medically assisted conception are moving towards increased openness of information regarding the nature of conception where donated gametes are involved. In the case of donor insemination this means that the donor is no longer anonymous, offspring have the right to access information about the donor's identity, and parents are encouraged to tell children the nature of their donor-assisted conception. Until recently, however, the practice of donor insemination has tended to create the conditions for ignoring, or erasing, the existence of the donor as the provider of the gametes.

The (ir)relevance of genetics: engendering parallel worlds of procreation and reproduction.

Informing offspring of the nature of their conception when conceived via donated gametes such as donor sperm, is increasingly considered by professionals and policy makers to be desirable for many reasons. The aim of this research is to explore and understand processes within families that either facilitate or hinder the telling of children about their conception. This exploration includes analysing the complexity of sociocultural processes surrounding parents' attempts to make sense of, and construct meanings of 'family'.

A group-work approach in family building by donor insemination: empowering the marginalized.

Family building with donor insemination (DI) is often perceived as stigmatizing and the secrecy surrounding the practice contributes to this perception. In recent years, patient organizations in several countries have started to challenge this stigma and marginalization. This paper reports on a professional group-work approach for couples in Germany using DI.