In modern society, the family is a crucial component of the social structure and a vital concept across most cultures. Therefore, the idea of having children as a natural extension of the concept of family is also considered a nearly inseparable part of most people’s lives. Although one has the right to choose not to raise a child, parenthood still remains a vital part of most people’s lives. The massive significance of parenthood as a concept raises the question of whether people should be entitled to have children as a part of their basic set of rights. Though the need to care for another human being and accept the role of a parent is rather noble, turning to have children into a human right creates a range of additional ethical dilemmas. Since making having children is a human right will imply that a greater number of people will apply for adoption and surrogacy, there is a threat that the specified development will create a lucrative market where commercial surrogacy will thrive, whereas children will be viewed as a product.
Furthermore, making having children a human right will lead to an inevitable surge in surrogacy practices, which are highly questionable at best, and an abuse of human rights at worst. Studies show that surrogate mothers are mostly represented by women from impoverished backgrounds (). Therefore, introducing them to the option of surrogacy could be seen as a form of exploitation, namely, what Lewis (2019) referred to as renting a womb. In other words, the specified legislation will put women and children as vulnerable groups in tremendous danger. For this reason, parenthood, particularly having a child, should not be turned into a human right.
Reference
Lewis, S. (2019). Surrogacy as feminism: The philanthrocapitalist framing of contract pregnancy. Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, 40(1), 1-38. Web.