In recent years, the conversation around assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has gained momentum globally. Among these, surrogacy—a process where a woman carries and delivers a child for another individual or couple—has emerged as both a beacon of hope and a subject of intense debate. While many progressive nations have established legal frameworks to regulate surrogacy, its practice within conservative societies remains complex, often fraught with ethical dilemmas, religious scrutiny, and social stigma.
This article delves into the multifaceted reality of surrogacy in conservative societies, exploring the cultural, legal, medical, and emotional dimensions that shape its acceptance—or rejection. By understanding the unique challenges and evolving attitudes in these regions, we can better appreciate the global landscape of reproductive rights and family-building options.
Understanding Surrogacy: A Brief Overview
Before examining its role in conservative contexts, it’s essential to define what surrogacy entails. There are two primary types:
- Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate uses her own egg, making her the biological mother of the child.
- Gestational Surrogacy: An embryo created via in vitro fertilization (IVF), using eggs and sperm from intended parents or donors, is implanted into the surrogate. She has no genetic link to the baby.
Gestational surrogacy is more common today due to fewer legal and emotional complications regarding parentage.
For individuals or couples facing infertility, same-sex partners, or single individuals desiring biological children, surrogacy offers a viable path to parenthood. However, access to such services varies dramatically across the world—especially in countries where traditional values dominate public policy and social norms.
The Cultural Landscape: Why Conservatism Complicates Surrogacy
Conservative societies often prioritize traditional family structures, religious doctrines, and communal values over individual autonomy in reproductive decisions. In such environments, surrogacy may be perceived not just as a medical procedure but as a disruption of natural order, lineage, and moral integrity.
In many Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African nations, for example, reproduction is deeply tied to marriage, faith, and societal expectations. The idea of a woman carrying a child for someone else—particularly outside marital bonds—can challenge deeply held beliefs about motherhood, kinship, and gender roles.
Moreover, concerns arise about exploitation, especially when economic disparities exist between intended parents and potential surrogates. Critics argue that allowing commercial surrogacy could lead vulnerable women to commodify their bodies, turning pregnancy into a transactional service rather than a sacred experience.
Legal Frameworks: A Patchwork of Prohibitions and Ambiguities
One of the most significant barriers to surrogacy in conservative societies is the lack of clear legislation. Some countries outright ban all forms of surrogacy, while others operate in a legal gray area, leaving participants exposed to risks.
For instance:
- Saudi Arabia, guided by Islamic jurisprudence, prohibits third-party reproduction, including surrogacy and donor gametes, citing concerns over lineage (nasab) and marital fidelity.
- India, once a popular destination for international surrogacy, banned commercial surrogacy in 2015 and later restricted it to married heterosexual Indian couples under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act of 2021—reflecting growing ethical concerns and nationalistic protectionism.
- Russia allows gestational surrogacy under strict conditions, though only for medically necessary cases and primarily for heterosexual couples, showing a blend of permissiveness within conservative parameters.
- Nigeria lacks specific laws on surrogacy, leading many prospective parents to seek arrangements abroad or engage in informal, unregulated agreements.
These examples illustrate how legal systems in conservative regions attempt to reconcile emerging biomedical capabilities with entrenched cultural values. Often, the result is restrictive policies that push demand underground or drive citizens toward “reproductive tourism.”
Religious Perspectives: Diverse Interpretations Shape Acceptance
Religion plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes toward surrogacy in conservative societies. Different faiths offer varied interpretations, influencing both public opinion and state policy.
Islam
Islamic scholars generally oppose surrogacy because it involves introducing a third party into the reproductive process, which disrupts clear lineage and marital exclusivity. The Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation declared surrogacy impermissible in 1989. However, some liberal voices suggest that altruistic surrogacy within close familial relationships might be acceptable under exceptional circumstances.
Hinduism
There is no unified stance in Hinduism, but ancient texts like the Mahabharata reference stories resembling surrogacy (e.g., Kunti invoking gods to bear children). This has led some modern Hindus to view surrogacy as consistent with dharma (duty), particularly when used to preserve family lines. Still, commercialization raises ethical red flags.
Christianity
Views vary among denominations. The Roman Catholic Church opposes surrogacy, seeing it as separating procreation from the marital act. Protestant and Orthodox traditions show more openness, especially if surrogacy helps infertile Christian couples build families.
Judaism
Within Judaism, particularly Orthodox communities, surrogacy is cautiously accepted if it adheres to halakhic (Jewish law) principles—such as ensuring the genetic mother is Jewish and minimizing sexual impropriety during IVF procedures.
These religious nuances reveal that even within conservative frameworks, there is room for dialogue and reinterpretation—especially as technology advances and personal stories of longing for parenthood gain visibility.
Social Stigma and Emotional Realities
Even when surrogacy is legally permitted or religiously tolerated, social stigma remains a formidable obstacle. In conservative communities, secrecy often surrounds infertility and alternative conception methods. Couples may fear judgment, ostracization, or damage to familial reputations.
For surrogates themselves, the journey can be emotionally taxing. Despite altruistic motives, they may face criticism from relatives who see their actions as unnatural or shameful. Post-birth bonding issues, though rare, are also a concern, particularly in traditional surrogacy models.
Intended parents, meanwhile, grapple with anxiety over legal recognition, citizenship issues (especially in cross-border arrangements), and societal legitimacy of their parental status. In some cultures, the child born through surrogacy may be viewed as “less authentic” or disconnected from ancestral roots.
Yet, personal narratives increasingly counter these prejudices. Stories of joyful reunions, grateful families, and empowered surrogates are slowly shifting perceptions—one heartfelt testimony at a time.
Medical Infrastructure and Access Disparities
Another critical factor is the availability of advanced reproductive healthcare. Many conservative societies lack sufficient IVF clinics, trained embryologists, or psychological support systems necessary for safe and ethical surrogacy programs.
Urban centers may offer high-quality fertility treatments, but rural populations remain underserved. Additionally, stringent regulations can stifle innovation and deter investment in ART infrastructure.
When domestic options are limited or illegal, citizens often travel abroad—fueling the rise of reproductive tourism. Countries like Georgia, Ukraine, and Mexico have become destinations for patients from conservative nations seeking affordable, legally sanctioned surrogacy.
However, this trend introduces new complexities:
- Legal parentage disputes upon return
- Ethical concerns about exploiting lower-income countries
- Risk of inconsistent medical standards
Thus, while international surrogacy provides solutions, it also underscores the need for equitable, locally accessible alternatives.
Changing Attitudes: Seeds of Progress Amid Tradition
Despite resistance, signs of change are emerging. Urbanization, education, exposure to global media, and advocacy by LGBTQ+ and infertility support groups are gradually reshaping public discourse.
In countries like Iran, although commercial surrogacy is officially banned, unofficial networks thrive, indicating strong underlying demand. Similarly, in parts of Southeast Asia, private clinics discreetly facilitate arrangements despite regulatory bans.
Younger generations tend to be more open-minded, prioritizing individual happiness and scientific progress over rigid adherence to tradition. Social media platforms amplify voices of intended parents and former surrogates, fostering empathy and awareness.
Some governments are beginning to respond. For example, Thailand—after clamping down on commercial surrogacy following scandals in the early 2010s—is now considering regulated altruistic surrogacy for Thai couples, signaling a cautious shift toward structured legalization.
Academic institutions and bioethics councils in conservative regions are also engaging in nuanced discussions, calling for context-sensitive policies that respect culture while protecting human rights.
Ethical Considerations: Balancing Autonomy and Protection
At the heart of the surrogacy debate lies a fundamental question: How do we balance personal autonomy with societal safeguards?
Proponents argue that banning surrogacy infringes on reproductive freedom and pushes practices into unregulated shadows where abuse is more likely. They advocate for comprehensive laws that ensure informed consent, fair compensation (in commercial models), psychological screening, and robust legal contracts.
Opponents stress the potential for exploitation, identity confusion for the child, and erosion of traditional values. They call for stricter oversight or complete prohibition to preserve social cohesion.
A middle path may lie in regulated altruistic surrogacy, where:
- Only close relatives or known volunteers serve as surrogates
- No financial profit is involved beyond medical and living expenses
- All parties receive counseling and legal guidance
- Parental rights are clearly established before birth
Such models have been adopted in Canada, the UK, and parts of Australia—and could serve as templates for conservative societies willing to explore compromise.
The Global Impact: Surrogacy as a Mirror of Societal Values
Surrogacy does more than enable parenthood; it reflects broader shifts in how societies view gender, family, technology, and individual rights. In conservative contexts, resistance to surrogacy often stems not from ignorance but from deep-seated commitments to communal identity and moral continuity.
Yet, as globalization accelerates and personal freedoms expand, even the most traditional societies must confront the implications of biomedical advancement. Rather than rejecting surrogacy outright, many are opting for selective adaptation—permitting certain forms under strict conditions, emphasizing altruism over commerce, and reinforcing cultural narratives of duty and care.
This evolution suggests that change doesn’t require abandoning tradition but reinterpreting it in light of new possibilities.
Conclusion: Toward a More Compassionate Future
Surrogacy in conservative societies stands at a crossroads. It embodies the tension between preserving heritage and embracing innovation, between collective values and individual dreams.
While challenges remain—legal ambiguity, religious opposition, social stigma—the trajectory points toward greater understanding and inclusion. As more people share their journeys, as science becomes more accessible, and as policymakers adopt evidence-based approaches, surrogacy may one day be recognized not as a threat to tradition, but as an extension of humanity’s enduring desire to create and nurture life.
