Motivations and Attitudes of Men Towards Sperm Donation: Whom to Donate and Why?

Abstract

Background The widespread access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques for all women, regardless of any infertility diagnosis, has led to an increased, but as yet unmet, demand for sperm donors in Portugal. For this study, we deployed an online survey to explore men's motivations for donating and their attitudes toward anonymity and donating for specific groups. Method The study's sample comprised men who were eligible to donate sperm (N = 282). The relationships between these factors and participants'psychological and sociodemographic characteristics were also explored. Results The results mostly indicated altruistic reasons for donating, positive attitudes toward anonymity, and a greater willingness to donate to infertile women. Overall, sexual orientation was not associated with the participants' attitudes and motivations. Age, education level, conscientiousness, empathic concern, and conservative and religious values were associated with the participants' motivations and attitudes toward sperm donation. Conclusion Recruitment campaigns should therefore consider the specific motivations, attitudes, and psychosocial characteristics of potential sperm donors. Indeed, parenthood is a universal right, so sperm donation should be encouraged, regardless of recipients' fertility status. Clear information about the identifiability of sperm donors should also be provided.

Motivational stimuli to donate sperm among non-donor students

“…Interestingly, although the desire to help others build a family was highly rated, participants expressed very low scores regarding their willingness to familiarize with recipients and offspring. These findings are compatible with various previous reports which emphasized the combination of altruism and anonymity [ 13 , 28 ]. We assume that participants age and marital status (single) may have strong impact on these preferences.…”

The Relationship Between the Views of University Students About Gamete Donation, Surrogate Motherhood and Alturism

“…The argument of this study that 'personal opinions and emotions may lead to different perspectives' may also be valid in our findings. Similar to our study, the study of Areias (2020) on the attitude and motivation towards sperm donation in Portugal, where gamete donation is legally allowed, (Fertility and Sterility, 2007) showed that participants who attach more importance to religious values were less motivated to help someone have a child and less willing to donate to all types of recipients. In line with our findings, in Ogunbode and Obajimi's (2020) study on students in Nigeria, more than half of the participants (54.9%) view gamete donation positively.…”

What Would It Be Like to Be a Parent? Exploring the Role of Sexual Orientation and Culture on Perceptions of Parenthood in the Future

“…These results may be explained by reference to the prevailing familistic values held in Portugal and Israel compared to the more individualistic values adhered to in the UK (Birenbaum-Carmeli, 2016;Hofstede, 2011;Leal et al, 2019). Furthermore, notwithstanding the less favorable parenthood laws in Israel than in either Portugal or the UK (Areias et al, 2021;Costa & Shenkman, 2020;HFEA, 2008;Shenkman, 2021) or the more negative social climate towards LGB individuals in Portugal and Israel than in the UK (Flores, 2019) our findings indicate that sexual minority individuals might be more protected from stigma upon parenthood in the familistic societies, such as Portugal and Israel, than in individualistic societies, such as the UK (Leal et al, 2019;Shenkman et al, 2021).…”

“…In 2016, Portuguese law extended publicly funded ART to all women, regardless of their marital status, sexual orientation, or any infertility diagnosis. However, surrogacy is not possible in Portugal neither for same-gender nor for differentgender couples (Areias et al, 2021).…”