The spelling of "commissioning parent" can be a bit tricky due to the two "s" sounds in the word. The first "s" sound is spelled with a double "s" followed by the letter "i" and a vowel sound represented by the letters "io". This is because the sound is actually made up of two separate phonemes: /s/ and /ʃ/. The second "s" sound is spelled with a single "s" followed by the letter "i" and the vowel sound represented by the letters "ion". Remembering these spellings can help ensure accurate communication about the complex process of commissioning parenthood.
A commissioning parent refers to an individual or individuals who enter into a legal arrangement or contract with a surrogate mother or gestational carrier to conceive, carry, and give birth to a child. This term primarily applies to situations where intended parents cannot conceive or carry a child on their own due to various medical reasons, such as infertility or same-sex couples.
The commissioning parent(s) typically work closely with a fertility clinic or a surrogacy agency to find a suitable surrogate who agrees to assist them in their journey to parenthood. The surrogate mother agrees to become pregnant through assisted reproductive technologies, either by using her own eggs or through the implantation of embryos created with the intended parents' eggs and sperm, thus becoming the gestational carrier.
During the surrogacy process, the commissioning parent(s) take on the legal and financial responsibilities of raising the child once it is born, despite the genetic makeup of the child. They play an active role in the surrogacy arrangement, providing emotional, financial, and medical support to the surrogate during the pregnancy.
Commissioning parents may also be responsible for drafting and implementing a legally binding surrogate agreement, which outlines the rights and obligations of all parties involved, including the surrogate, intended parents, and any other relevant parties. This agreement usually covers legal parentage, custody, visitation, and financial arrangements. The commissioning parents become the legal parents of the child after its birth, assuming all the associated rights and responsibilities.
The term "commissioning parent" is a relatively recent term that emerged in the field of reproductive technology and surrogacy. The etymology of this term can be understood by examining the individual parts of the phrase.
1. Commissioning: In this context, "commissioning" refers to the act of formally requesting, authorizing, or paying for a specific service or task to be carried out. It is derived from the verb "commission", which originated in Middle English from the Latin word "commissio", meaning "delegation of business".
2. Parent: The word "parent" has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old French word "parent", meaning "father or mother". It ultimately comes from the Latin word "parens", which means "one who brings forth, begets, or produces".