Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
January 2020
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Heidi Gottfried
Abstract
Surrogacy is – as a result of new reproductive technologies – one of many options to start a family. However, surrogacy is not typically categorized as work. The simplistic taxonomy of forms of surrogacy as either “commercial” or “altruistic” has led to the classification of surrogacy as either “work” in transnational contexts or as “labor of love” in the US. Even when surrogacy is recognized as work in the US – a rare event – altruistic aspects are highlighted while the laboring aspects are downplayed. This dissertation examines how US surrogates describe their journeys and which aspects of carrying babies for others they perceive as invisible bodily care work.
Recommended Citation
Stoeckle, Anabel, "Bearing A Beloved Burden: Surrogates, Reproductive Labor, And Carrying Babies For Others" (2020). Wayne State University Dissertations. 2457.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/2457