I called it: ART threatens marriage
Just this past weekend, I told the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers that the use of Artificial Reproductive Technology is the newest threat to marriage as the lifelong fruitful union of a man and a woman. I argued that the very existence of the ART option is distorting women’s marriage decisions. They believe that they can postpone marriage indefinitely, and if Mr. Right never shows up, they can still become a mother on their own, artificially.
As if on cue, Time magazine steps up to the plate with corroborating evidence:
New research from Belgium and the U.K. suggests that women may increasingly be considering freezing their eggs as a way to prolong fertility as they pursue a career — or find the right romantic partner. A survey of nearly 200 female students found that half of those pursuing degrees in sports or education would consider freezing their eggs to give them the option to delay starting a family, while more than 8 out of 10 women pursuing a medical degree said that they would do so. Meanwhile, a tiny study in Belgium (which included only 15 women in their late 30s) found that half of those interviewed said they’d consider freezing their eggs to take the pressure off the hunt to find the right partner.
No word on what men will do with themselves when women find them completely superfluous, in our Brave New World. And no word from our Technological Geniuses on how children are going to feel about having parents 50 years older than themselves, or having no father at all.
Not to worry: all moral problems have technological solutions. (sarc)
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I wonder why we men are so stupid that we cannot see how impoverished our relationships with women and children will be as these technologies become more widespread. I feel de-valued – like all of the best parts of my character and faith don’t really matter at all.
Well, maybe it’s time for men to start stepping up their game so that women don’t have to wade through so much low-quality merchandise before finding the right purchase!
Why should women have to settle for men who don’t make good partners just so they can have and raise babies? Shouldn’t we be asking men to change a bit in the direction of being more supportive, mature, responsible, respectful, non-violent and therefore more desirable potential marriage partners? Does the prolonged adolescence of young men these days have anything to do with these women’s decisions? Does the high incidence of porn usage and video game playing affect the desirability of many young men to women? Food for thought perhaps!
We could also do something about providing more family-friendly employment and educational options and policies so women don’t feel like they have to choose between becoming mothers and having fulfilling careers. Employer-sponsored day care anyone? College campuses with child care on site? Why do women have to sacrifice their intellectual pursuits for children and family? Why isn’t such a sacrifice expected of men?
It seems to me that the options shouldn’t have to be between asking women to settle for poor partners or forgoing education and careers (if a family can even afford to do so these days) and freezing her eggs for later use. Of course, it makes sense that women will resort to this option if the pickings are slim for an appropriate partner and the ability to be a mother and to have a satisfying and economically sufficient career appear impossible. But I honestly don’t think it is the availability of ART that causes women to make this kind of choice. I think most women would prefer to find a suitable partner and to find an appropriate balance between educational/employment aspirations and family.
I would add, that when we begin to start talking about whether women are guaranteed marriage then I think we can begin talking about whether AI threatens marriage.