Michael Humphrey

Bio: Michael Humphrey is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Seekers. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 12 citations.

The Stigma of Adoptive Parent Status: Perceptions of Community Attitudes Toward Adoption and the Experience of Informal Social Sanctioning.

Abstract: This study examines the role of informal social response in the emergence of adoptive parent status as a discreditable attribute for infertile women who adopt. Seventy-one involuntarily childless women detailed their perceptions of societal beliefs about adoption. These beliefs are that the biological tie is important for bonding and love and therefore bonding and love in adoption are second best; adopted children are second rate because of their unknown genetic past; and adoptive parents are not "real" parents. Subjects also provided detailed instances of perceived informal social sanctions related to their adoptive parent status. Social sanctions are shown to be relevant to an understanding of the experience of adoption. Recommendations whereby family practitioners can alleviate the stigma potential of adoption are discussed.

Infertility and Involuntary Childlessness: The Transition to Nonparenthood

Abstract: While the "transition to parenthood" has now received considerable attention from social scientists, the "transition to nonparenthood" experienced by infertile couples who are involuntarily childless has received little consideration. This article provides a theoretical framework for understanding the reality reconstructions, identity transformations, and role readjustments that must be made by involuntarily childless couples who are unable to make the transition to parenthood as they had anticipated.

Human adoption in evolutionary perspective.

Abstract: Exploitation is a fundamental element of the parental strategies of many species of birds. Cuckoos, for example, lay their eggs in the nest of other birds, who often unwittingly rear the alien nestlings as their own. Nest parasitism is an efficient reproductive strategy for cuckoos, who do not have to worry about building a nest, incubating their eggs, or feeding their nestlings. But not all hosts respond passively to such intrusions. In response to parasitic cowbirds, for example, robins have evolved the ability to detect and selectively eject alien young from their nests. Human parenting strategies differ sharply from the strategies of cuckoos and robins. Unlike cuckoos, we are reluctant to allow our children to be raised by others. Unlike robins, we knowingly rear strange young. What makes human behavior toward children so different from that of cuckoos and robins? Humans seem to share a number of predispositions that facilitate successful adoptive relationships, and the desire to raise children seems to be pervasive among modern humans. Despite these commonalities, patterns of adoption transactions vary greatly among contemporary human societies. This paper considers the origins and causes of cross-cultural variation in human adoptive behavior from an evolutionary perspective.

Fertilization of human eggs in vitro: morals, ethics and the law.

Abstract: The biological, social, and legal aspects of work on the fertilization of human ova in vitro and the reimplantation of embryos into the uterus of the mother are considered by a scientist engaged in...

Some characteristics of intentionally childless wives in Britain.

Abstract: Intentional childlessness in Britain has been investigated by means of a postal questionnaire survey of married women who to date had never had a child. These wives were categorized according to their fertility intentions. As a group the wives were well educated likely to be employed and to be married to men in professional or managerial occupations although there were some with husbands in manual occupations. The main reason perceived by the wives for their decision not to have children was the value they placed on the freedom they consequently gained. A majority of the wives felt there were no disadvantages in remaining childless. Those who felt that there were disadvantages identified these as missing the positive features of children possible loneliness and lack of support in old age feelings of deviancy and economic and social discrimination resulting from their childlessness. (Authors)