‘Spunkles’, donors, and fathers: men, trans/masculine, and non-binary people’s accounts of sperm donors and their relationships to children

Riggs, D. W., Hines, S., Pearce, R. , Pfeffer, C. A. and White, F. R. (2023) ‘Spunkles’, donors, and fathers: men, trans/masculine, and non-binary people’s accounts of sperm donors and their relationships to children. In: Kelly, F., Dempsey, D. and Byrt, A. (eds.) Donor-Linked Families in the Digital Age: Relatedness and Regulation. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY, pp. 192-208. ISBN 9781316518519 (doi: 10.1017/9781009008129.014)

Abstract

Growing numbers of men, trans/masculine, and non-binary people are bearing children, some of whom utilise known donor sperm to conceive. How this diverse population understands the role of known donors has, to date, received little attention. This chapter focuses on nine individuals who used known donor sperm to conceive, drawn from a larger international study of 51 men, trans/masculine, or non-binary people who were gestational parents. The participants discuss the role of donors in their children’s lives, exploring topics such as identifying potential donors, the incorporation (or not) of donors into existing kinship narratives, and the need to create opportunities for children to negotiate their own relationships with donors in the future. The findings highlight the potentially unique social scripting needs of men, trans/masculine, and non-binary people who conceive using donor sperm. The chapter concludes by providing suggestions for how this diverse group of people may be assisted in developing these unique social scripts.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pearce, Dr Ruth
• Authors: Riggs, D. W., Hines, S., Pearce, R., Pfeffer, C. A., and White, F. R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISBN: 9781316518519
• Published Online: 13 July 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Cambridge University Press and Assessment
• First Published: First published in Donor-Linked Families in the Digital Age: Relatedness and Regulation: 192-208
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy