RITUALIZING THE 'NATURAL FAMILY': Secrecy in Israeli Donor Insemination

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoram S. Carmeli ◽  
Dapnha Birenbaum-Carmeli
2000 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphna Birenbaum-Carmeli ◽  
Yoram S. Carmeli ◽  
Haim Yavetz

Patterns of discretion and disclosure of fertility-related information among Israeli recipients of donor insemination (DI) are explored. Based on questionnaires completed by recipients in four sperm banks, we studied differences between married women and men. We found that most Israeli recipients conceal the treatment from their friends and relatives. Women and men, however, differ in their disclosure patterns: women are somewhat more open about the general fertility problem, but conceal the male factor; men are more discreet. However, men who disclose the fertility problem also tell about their own impairment. DI appears to be the most secretive issue in this context. Recipients who confided in anyone about their problem restricted it mostly to family relatives. The results are interpreted in terms of Israeli pronatalism, traditional concepts of the natural family, as well as elements of macho culture. Public education is highly recommended in order to open and “normalize” DI in Israel.


Hypatia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seline Szkupinski Quiroga

On the most general level, this essay addresses the ways race is deployed in biomedical solutions to infertility. Szkupinski Quiroga begins with general assertions about fertility technology. She then explores how fertility technology reinforces biological links between parents and children and argues that most options reflect and privilege white kinship patterns and fears about race mixing. She illustrates these observations with interviews she has collected.


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