SURROGACY AND MOTHERHOOD: WOMEN'S VOICES AND LIVED EXPERIENCES

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the meanings attributed to commercial surrogacy and perceptions of motherhood among Thai women who had experienced commercial surrogacy arrangements. A qualitative research approach was employed. Data were collected from 28 key informants selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In the Thai context, commercial surrogacy is prohibited under the Protection of Children Born from Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act, B.E. 2558 (2015). The findings revealed that women involved in commercial surrogacy constructed four major meanings of surrogacy: 1) a means of survival during economic hardship, 2) an opportunity to fulfill personal aspirations and achieve future financial security, 3) a form of work undertaken for the well-being of their families, and 4) an act of giving life and helping to create families for individuals experiencing infertility. Regarding perceptions of motherhood, the findings identified two distinct perspectives: 1) women who developed emotional attachment to the fetus and experienced emotional distress after relinquishing the child, and 2) women who maintained emotional distance from the fetus and defined motherhood primarily through their roles in raising their own children. The experiences of women who had participated in commercial surrogacy, a practice that is not recognized under Thai law, reflect the complex interplay among motherhood, economic inequality, and gender inequality. These findings underscore the importance of developing policies and protective measures that safeguard women's rights and human dignity within the context of contemporary reproductive technologies.