New research into the profile of US surrogates shows they are not poor or vulnerable, despite what surrogacy critics say

A recent study about the sociodemographic profiles and motivations of surrogates in the US has been published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. Over 200 surrogates took part in the survey which was carried out by José Ángel Martínez-López, a lecturer at the University of Murcia in Spain. The study asked the question, “what is the profile of women in the USA who become surrogates, and what is their power of decision and motivations?”

The detailed survey revealed that women who become surrogates in the US typically:

• Earn above the average income for their state
• Have a higher than average level of education
• Have health insurance
• Are employed
• Have chosen to become surrogates for altruistic reasons

The study thoroughly debunks the myth, widely promoted by surrogacy critics, that surrogacy in the US takes advantage of poor vulnerable women, who are enticed into becoming surrogates by financial desperation. It shows the reality that US surrogates are typically well educated, financially independent women, motivated primarily not by gain but by altruism and empathy.

This chimes comfortably with our extensive experience of US surrogacy over the past decade and more. We see that surrogates in the US have similar profiles to surrogates in the UK – strong-minded, caring and independent women with a compelling drive to help others and do good in the world. The fact they are compensated is simply a feature of the way surrogacy works in the US, helping to ensure that surrogates receive appropriate acknowledgment of the time, effort, risk and commitment surrogacy involves. The extensive vetting and support provided by professional US surrogacy agencies ensures that everyone in the process is protected and no one is taken advantage of. We have written about motivations for US surrogates before, and always aim to educate and enlighten those who have been influenced by the misconception that the level of compensation they receive is the primary motivator for them.

We have also carried out our own research, working with leading academics at Cambridge University in 2018, which showed that 95% of UK parents through US surrogacy surveyed opted to stay in touch with their surrogates after the surrogacy process, something which shows that US surrogacy is not typically just a transaction, but built on a strong and enduring personal relationship.

At Brilliant Beginnings, we know that having the option to receive compensation does not stop surrogacy being an altruistic act. We fully support women having the right to decide for themselves if receiving compensation that recognises the enormity of what they are doing is important to them and their families. A robust legal framework and professional support for everyone involved enables compensated surrogacy with altruism at its core.

To find out more about how Brilliant Beginnings can support you with safe and ethical surrogacy in the US you can explore our US Surrogacy pathway.