Should childbirth be outsourced?

This is a report of philosophy cafe session #51 on 16 April 2008.

The question for the night is as in the heading: Should childbirth be outsourced?

No, it should not be outsourced, because pregnancy is a joy and a privilege. But this is a selfish reason. Selfishness is ok, so long as it benefits me.

No, it should not be outsourced, because then there will be no bonding of mother and child. This is also the case in adoption, so this is not a good reason. Indeed, in the case of adoption, the case is even further removed, as there is no genetic heritage.

Yes, it should be outsourced, because it is more convenient for the couple. Indeed, many other events should also be outsourced, such a birthdays, schooling, bedtime stories. Then why have a child? For tax reasons.

An observation: Adoption is also oursourcing of childbirth, except that it occurs after the fact. The difference in outsourcing childbirth here is the child takes its genetic heritage from its adoptive parents. So outsourcing childbirth (that is, surrogacy) is better than adoption.

Yes, childbirth should be outsourced, as it provides employment for the surrogate mothers (clinically referred to as incubators).

No, childbirth should not be outsourced, as this will make the husband respect the wife less. The comparison is with a layabout husband, who is then not fulfilling his duty of bringing home the bacon.

Post-cafe reflection
The temptation here is to consider the above as three arguments against outsourcing childbirth, and two arguments in favour of it. This is the wrong perspective. In evaluating moral questions teleologically (by reference to its consequences), the correct approach is to consider all the consequences, and to judge if there is a nett of benefits over harms. If there is a nett of benefits over harms, it is a moral act; if there is a nett of harms over benefits, it is an immoral act.


Philosophy cafe is held every third Wednesday of the month at Gone Fishing Cafe, 15 Chu Lin Road, 8-10pm. Admission is free (and so is parking). All are welcome. (For more information, please follow link to my website.) The next philosophy cafe session will be on 21 May 2008.