City Research Online

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward parenthood following gamete donation among the general population in Italy.
Background: In Western societies, where genetic continuity often defines kinship, couples using gamete donation to conceive may face societal stigma and lack of acknowledgement, potentially impacting their well-being. As openness about donor conception is encouraged in donor-conceived (DC) families' social networks, research on public perceptions of parenthood after gamete donation is necessary.
Method: 624 participants completed an online survey exploring their beliefs towards parenthood after gamete donation. Participants also assessed hypothetical parental abilities in five randomly presented scenarios depicting couples having a child using different conception methods.
Results: Participants showed limited knowledge of donor conception pathways and positive beliefs about parenthood following donor conception. Greater concerns were expressed regarding parenting abilities in spontaneously conceiving couples compared to those using donor and non-donor Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ARTs) and concerns about the stability of relationships in donor-conceiving couples.
Conclusion: Couples using donor ARTs are perceived as more committed to parenthood despite concerns about genetic asymmetry and limited understanding of donor conception.
Implications: The societal unawareness of donor conception may present challenges for DC families in legitimising their family-building within their social contexts.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s). Family Relations published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Council on Family Relations. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Publisher Keywords:	Attitudes; Donor-Conceived Families; Donor Conception; Gamete Donation
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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