The Downside Of Such Modern Day Progressive Endeavours.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gay-couples-decision-to-donate-sperm-to-their-lesbian-friends-ended-in-mutual-loathing-9837007.html

[kvalidir]

It's none news- if they had been straight this would never have ben in the papers.

[-Talbot-]

Is Ben dad 1 or 2, kvalidir?

[tamborine]

"...has resulted in harm to the two girls born as a result of the donations..."

Maybe social workers will abide by childrens wishes?

[sp1814]

This is indeed an extremely sad story, which begs the question (once again) - why doesn't anyone think of the children? When relationships sour, adults need to act like adults and not use kids as pawns.

I'm sure that AOG acknowledges however, that this case statistically, must be extremely rare - compared with the number of children affected by the toxic fall out of the thousands of divorces that we see up and down the country every year.

Indeed, one could almost draw the conclusion that people will focus on this case as 'proof' that certain family set ups don't work. I would suggest that those people have an agenda (hidden or otherwise), that goes beyond their concern for the kids.

Perhaps the Coalition for Marriage could take a look at lobbying the government to repeal the 1969 Divorce Reform Act, which saw an explosion in the number of divorces in the UK?

That might be a start?

[ludwig]

This could just as well have been a straight couple donating to another straight couple they were friends with.

It's the downside of non-anonymous sperm donation, that's all.

[ludwig]

Of course, if non-anonymous sperm donation is the 'modern day progressive endeavour' you were referring to AOG, then you're absolutely right.

[sp1814]

Yes, perhaps some clarity is required here.

AOG - I assume the 'modern day progressive endeavours' you refer to are non-anonymous sperm donations in general, right?

[ummmm]

sp - would you rather people stayed in an unhappy marriage? I think that would be more damaging to any children involved.

[sp1814]

ummm

Absolutely not!

No, my point is that the Coalition For Marriage seem oddly quiet on the subject.

But then, looking back - I'm kinda hijacking this thread for my own unhidden agenda - which is basically me highlighting the hypocrisy of certain people shining the spotlight on the issues that might arise from one family set up, whilst conveniently ignoring the much greater societal problems encountered by vastly more numerous family set up.

[ummmm]

Yes....children born into a more traditional family are just as likely to be damaged by their parents.

I was lucky, my mum and dad never said bad things about each other. That's the way it should be and we don't know if these children were dragged into it.

[keyplus90]

A few people want to have a shower but do not want to get wet. What else to say.

[sp1814]

ummm

I have a great deal of respect for couples who separate and are able to 'maintain their composure' for the sake of their children.

It's making the best of a bad situation...and too many ex-couples make the worst of a bad situation by forgetting what impact their animosity will have on their kids down the line.

[sp1814]

Another 'downside' perhaps?

http://www.people.com/article/jason-patric-declared-legal-father-gus

[anotheoldgit]

Retrochic

/// Men donate their sperm which frankly may have ended up on a paper tissue -and think they have a right to be a parent, no they don't. ///

What a sexist comment, and do women have the right to be a parent just because they produce the eggs, and I won't be as descriptive as Retrochic regarding where they may up.

[ummmm]

Why is it sexist?

[Mamyalynne]

I think the whole thing is simply the downside of being human - not daring to think what may happen months or years down the line.

If we all thought things through then we would never have children, take out loans or mortgages for the fear of what may go wrong.

I am sure it can work but think anonymous sperm donors are better for reducing the possibility of this happening.

[ummmm]

It's not abnormal for the people involved!

[Mamyalynne]

I should imagine that same sex couples wishing to adopt are as rigorously vetted as any other couple might be.