Reproducing Dystopia: The Politics of Transnational Surrogacy in India, 2002–2015

Rudrappa, Sharmila

doi:10.1177/0896920517740616

Cited by 42 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Literature from the Indian context on the psychosocial outcomes of surrogacy practice mainly exists in the form of cross-sectional studies, qualitative investigations, case-series, commentaries, review-articles primarily been conducted by Sociologists, Anthropologists and Public health experts. [ 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 ] Evidences in the form of clinical investigations, randomized controlled trials, systematic and meta-analytical studies are scarce.…”

Section: T He E Motional E mentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Miracle Mothers and Marvelous Babies”: Psychosocial aspects of surrogacy – A narrative review

2020

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Surrogates are described in literature as true angels “who make dreams happen.” On the other hand, surrogacy has also been surrounded by several psychosocial controversies. In this review, we have made an attempt to encapsulate this topic from the multiple perspectives of individuals who are involved in the surrogacy cycle. We present to the readers the various outlooks and dilemmas of the clinicians, patient parties contracting for surrogacy, the child born out of surrogacy, and the intricate role of the mental health professionals in surrogacy arrangements. The review also throws light upon the psychosocial issues in connection to the evolving Surrogacy practices in Indian and in the Western world.

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Section: T He E Motional E mentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Miracle Mothers and Marvelous Babies”: Psychosocial aspects of surrogacy – A narrative review

2020

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“…Whilst much scholarly attention has been devoted to commercial surrogacy, the presence of altruistic surrogacy models in countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and recently also India, may be seen as disturbing the commodification argument against surrogacy as the child emerges not as a commodity but as a gift. The preference for altruistic surrogacy has, however, been problematized by scholars who have pointed to the gendered character ( Almeling, 2011 , Tober, 2001 ) and potentially disempowering effects ( Gupta, 2006 , Pande, 2014 , Ruparelia, 2007 ) of the language of the gift, with the resulting disregard of women's labour ( Rudrappa, 2017 ). Additionally, research on surrogacy in the USA has demonstrated how gift and commodity exchange tend to overlap ( Berend, 2016 , Jacobson, 2016 , Ragoné, 1994 ), with narratives of gift-giving and relatedness facilitating commodification ( Smietana, 2017 ).…”

Section: Surrogacy As Baby-making and The Trouble Of Commodificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gendered and racialized notions of (reproductive) labour, self-sacrifice and emotion management, as well as ideological configurations of ‘choice’, are also part of the trouble, making the altruistic model of surrogacy not necessarily what it takes to avoid trouble and unhappiness (cf. Rudrappa, 2017 ).…”

Section: Conclusion: From Substitution To a Relational Being-togethermentioning

confidence: 99%

Troublesome reproduction: surrogacy under scrutiny

Stuvøy¹

2018

Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online

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In recent years, the emergence of transnational commercial surrogacy arrangements has prompted consideration of how and whether it is possible to bridge claims for reproductive rights from involuntarily childless couples and singles, many of whom historically have been excluded from reproduction, with the rights and well-being of the reproductive assisters. In this article, I suggest that a fruitful starting point for a conversation on how to tackle such a challenge is to examine the way in which surrogacy is conceptualized. Thus, I examine how scholars have queried surrogacy, asking how different conceptualizations of who this reproductive phenomenon concerns have led to the formulations of different types of ‘troubles’ of surrogacy. I delineate three different conceptualizations of surrogacy. Firstly, how surrogacy as a way to make parents has troubled scholars because of the conflation of reproduction with consumption, thereby making reproduction a matter of financial resource. Secondly, the trouble emerging when surrogacy is conceptualized as baby-making relates to how surrogacy turns babies and bodies into commodities. Thirdly, surrogacy understood as a phenomenon that concerns the women gestating and birthing the children has brought attention to issues of exploitation. These different formulations of trouble point towards tensions in the literature, while also offering reminders that surrogacy is not one thing alone; a finding that provides an opening for new forms of reproductive justice. This brings me to propose a rethinking of the notion of ‘reproductive assistance’, arguing in favour of moving away from substitution and transaction towards a relational being-together.

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“…However, there is no consensus on the positive impact of this law. Researchers such as Rudrappa and associations such as Sama point out the perverse effect of the official wish to protect women [ 28 , 29 ], arguing that this change could promote a black market and lead to invisible coercion of women by their family and relatives (see LiveLawin , January 5, 2019). In addition, other laws have been voted in India to protect women from violence and exploitation without having a major effect on the endemic rapes, domestic violence, femicides and acid attacks [ 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The social paradoxes of commercial surrogacy in developing countries: India before the new law of 2018

2020

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Background Commercial surrogacy is a highly controversial issue that leads to heated debates in the feminist literature, especially when surrogacy takes place in developing countries and when it is performed by local women for wealthy international individuals. The objective of this article is to confront common assumptions with the narratives and experiences described by Indian surrogates themselves. Methods This qualitative study included 33 surrogates interviewed in India (Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi) who were at different stages of the surrogacy process. They were recruited through five clinics and agencies. This 2-year field study was conducted before the 2018 surrogacy law. Results Surrogates met the criteria fixed by the national guidelines in terms of age and marital and family situation. The commitment to surrogacy had generally been decided with the husband. Its aim was above all to improve the socioeconomic condition of the family. Women described surrogacy as offering better conditions than their previous paid activity. They had clear views on the child and their work. However, they declared that they faced difficulties and social condemnation as surrogacy is associated with extra-marital relationships. They also described a medical process in which they had no autonomy although they did not express complaints. Overall, surrogates did not portray themselves as vulnerable women and victims, but rather as mothers and spouses taking control of their destiny. Conclusions The reality of surrogacy in India embraces antagonistic features that we analyze in this paper as “paradoxes”. First, while women have become surrogates in response to gender constraints as mothers and wives, yet in so doing they have gone against gender norms. Secondly, while surrogacy was socially perceived as dirty work undertaken in order to survive, surrogates used surrogacy as a means to upward mobility for themselves and their children. Finally, while surrogacy was organized to counteract accusations of exploitation, surrogates were under constant domination by the medical system and had no decision-making power in the surrogacy process. This echoes their daily life as women. Although the Indian legal framework has changed, surrogacy still challenges gender norms, particularly in other developing countries where the practice is emerging.

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Reproducing Dystopia: The Politics of Transnational Surrogacy in India, 2002–2015

Cited by 42 publications

References 18 publications

“The Miracle Mothers and Marvelous Babies”: Psychosocial aspects of surrogacy – A narrative review

“The Miracle Mothers and Marvelous Babies”: Psychosocial aspects of surrogacy – A narrative review

Troublesome reproduction: surrogacy under scrutiny

The social paradoxes of commercial surrogacy in developing countries: India before the new law of 2018

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