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Original poster

WTF? Strangers Making Babies TV show

85 replies

Doyoumind · 23/03/2021 18:42

Just read about this programme which starts on Channel 4 tonight where single people wanting children are matched with a stranger they could coparent with without a romantic relationship.

I don't even know where to start.

OP posts:
Original poster
Doyoumind · 23/03/2021 19:07

Bump

OP posts:
FightingTheFoo · 23/03/2021 19:16

Yet more commodification of babies. It's chilling.

littlepattilou · 23/03/2021 19:18

I was going to post about this actually.

It really is scraping the bottom of the barrel isn't it? Absolutely foul. I won't be watching it. @Doyoumind YANBU. At ALL.

x2boys · 23/03/2021 19:19

Let's hope it's not the same "experts" that match up the married at first sight contestants? Sounds pretty from tbh .

x2boys · 23/03/2021 19:20

Grim*

WonkyCactus · 23/03/2021 19:20

I'll be watching. It's just about people who want to co-parent with someone they're not in a relationship with. I don't see what's wrong with that, it's just a different type of family.

Original poster
Doyoumind · 23/03/2021 19:23

Setting aside the complete disregard for the child in all this, surely even a selfish would-be parent can understand it's difficult enough to parent successfully within a relationship, or within a relationship that has broken down amicably, never mind with someone you meet only for the purpose of having a child together.

When you have a child with someone you are tied to them forever and will have to make decisions about your child with them until the child is at least 18.

OP posts:
FreedomFollows · 23/03/2021 19:28

@WonkyCactus

I'll be watching. It's just about people who want to co-parent with someone they're not in a relationship with. I don't see what's wrong with that, it's just a different type of family.
Where to even start 🙄
NiceGerbil · 23/03/2021 19:28

How far do the program background check the people?

Are these to be conceived via sex or sperm donation or what?

Will they live near enough to each other to co-parent?

How will the costs of raising the child be split?

I mean just so many questions.

How will these children feel when they find out (which lets face it they will).

What happens in the event of the foetus having a condition incompatible with life? Will that be followed for the prog? Or a disability and they don't agree on whether to proceed?

What if worst case the woman dies?

What a grim idea for a TV prog.

Tossblanket · 23/03/2021 19:33

Scraping the bottom of the barrel I'm surprised it's even allowed.

A kid isn't just a fucking plaything, an object.

Piece of shit programme.

MorganKitten · 23/03/2021 19:43

@Doyoumind

Setting aside the complete disregard for the child in all this, surely even a selfish would-be parent can understand it's difficult enough to parent successfully within a relationship, or within a relationship that has broken down amicably, never mind with someone you meet only for the purpose of having a child together.

When you have a child with someone you are tied to them forever and will have to make decisions about your child with them until the child is at least 18.

You are not tied to them forever, my biological dad is proof of that. What an unselfish way for a single person who wants a child to have one then?
FightingTheFoo · 23/03/2021 19:45

@MorganKitten Sorry but there isn't one.

rainyskylight · 23/03/2021 19:46

Those poor children. Sounds like a dystopian film or novel plot.

gingganggooleywotsit · 23/03/2021 19:46

That is absolutely hideous. Really shocked the programme makers were allowed to do this for entertainment.

WonkyCactus · 23/03/2021 19:49

Look, not everyone is lucky enough to meet the love of their life and conceive a child with them. I admit it's not the best subject for a TV show because of the children involved but if it opens people's eyes to diverse families then that can only be a good thing. Frankly it sounds like some posters on this thread could do with tuning in.

NiceGerbil · 23/03/2021 19:54

You admit it's not the best subject for a TV show because of the children involved

But nevertheless saying it's a grim idea is definitely wrong and shows posters are not 'diverse'.

So you're in the fence then.

Can't bring yourself to say yay or nay.

Kpo58 · 23/03/2021 19:57

What do they do if they object to how the other person parents?

Warrickdaviesasplates · 23/03/2021 20:00

@MorganKitten I would think it would be better to co-parent with a long term friend or go down the sperm donor route and do it alone.

Surely either of those options would be better than a reality show matching you with a stranger and you making a huge life long decision with someone you don't even know.

All these dating shows (Married At First Sight being the main one) that match people up surely show how rarely it works out in the long run. Yes I certainly found the recent series of MAFS entertaining, but bringing a new life into the world isn't about entertainment, it's a serious thing that shouldn't be trivialised.

MorganKitten · 23/03/2021 20:20

[quote FightingTheFoo]@MorganKitten Sorry but there isn't one. [/quote]
So every one who has been a single parent by choice is selfish?

To me that’s highly judgemental, you don’t know how good a parent they will be. Your calling every women who chose to raise a child alone - no matter how they are conceived selfish, yet they could be amazing parents. In fact I know several who have raised fantastic children and haven’t been stuck in a place they don’t want to be.

Also women who chose to adopt as lone parents - your calling them selfish, what about giving that child a good home?

MorganKitten · 23/03/2021 20:21

[quote Warrickdaviesasplates]@MorganKitten I would think it would be better to co-parent with a long term friend or go down the sperm donor route and do it alone.

Surely either of those options would be better than a reality show matching you with a stranger and you making a huge life long decision with someone you don't even know.

All these dating shows (Married At First Sight being the main one) that match people up surely show how rarely it works out in the long run. Yes I certainly found the recent series of MAFS entertaining, but bringing a new life into the world isn't about entertainment, it's a serious thing that shouldn't be trivialised.[/quote]
It’s up to the person having the child - if they can co parent well why does it matter?

GreyhoundG1rl · 23/03/2021 20:23

What a dreadful concept for a tv show Hmm. Are there no levels to which they won't sink in their desperate attempts to find new entertainment?
Beyond bad taste.

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 23/03/2021 20:33

There are dating sites like this that I've heard about. One was the really rich, people like the sons of nobles and the like who aren't married and want a son but dont want to do all the work when the child is young, and high flying career women who want their child to have a title and their school fees paid, who could meet and make a deal where the woman would undergo treatment to see that it was a boy and the man would pay for education and connections because of his title.... I don't have the link now but it was a few years ago. Its worrying and Channel 4 making a programme on the same type of thing, this looks like us more commoners though not lord and multi millionaires, is just more ways we're now making babies as commodities and making reality shows like it's an odd competition of who can make the most "unusual" and "modern" family.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 23/03/2021 20:49

How about watching the programme BEFORE piling in with your judgmental comments?

GreyhoundG1rl · 23/03/2021 21:07

@VeniVidiWeeWee

How about watching the programme BEFORE piling in with your judgmental comments?
I’d rather not, thanks.
VeniVidiWeeWee · 23/03/2021 21:10

Then don't comment about the concept. You know nothing about it.