Single Mothers by Choice of Children With Disabilities

Nowadays, families headed by a single mother who conceived by sperm donation are very common, especially in Western societies, Israel included. The current preliminary study examines the parental experience of single mothers, by choice, of children with a disability conceived through sperm donation.

The study employed semi-structured interviews of 11 single mothers. In the analysis of the interviews, four themes were determined: (1) the decision to become a single mother by sperm donation; (2) difficulties and hesitations in making decisions; (3) strengths and advantages as a single mother of a child with disabilities; (4) sources of support.

The words of the mothers afford an observation into their inner world, enabling an understanding of the characteristics of their unique parenting, its difficulties and strengths.

The findings of the research may serve as an effective working tool, mainly for multi-professional teams in the field of treatment, health and education, to develop awareness of the experience of these mothers and formulate ways of assistance and support for them, thereby leading to coordinated and cooperative work.