This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Baslington, H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Baslington, H. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Social Organization of Surrogacy: Relinquishing a Baby and the Role of Payment in the Psychological Detachment Process

Brighouse, West Yorkshire, UK, b.baslington{at}connectfree.co.uk

This article presents the ‘maternal-foetal detachment’ theory providing a framework for understanding how some women relinquish a baby in the context of paid surrogacy. It is postulated that attitude towards payment becomes part of a psychological detachment process in which surrogate mothers emotionally distance themselves from the growing foetus. Important are the subcultural influences engendered by the social organization of surrogacy. Some surrogate mothers appear to learn not to attach to the unborn child or, if feelings emerge, they deal with these by deflecting emotions towards the couple. The discussion considers what can be learned about the concepts of maternal-foetal attachment and maternal instinct. The surrogacy case offers conflicting evidence in favour of, and in opposition to, the concept of maternal instinct.

Key Words: deflecting • maternal-foetal detachment • maternal instinct • surrogacy

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 7, No. 1, 57-71 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105302007001652


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?