How do single women seeking donor semen differ from cohabiting women?

Single women seeking treatment with donor semen do not differ from cohabiting women seeking treatment with regard to sociodemographic characteristics or attitudes toward motherhood, a new study of 311 Danish women shows. For most, to be a single mother by choice is not their preferred way of parenthood, but rather a solution they need to accept as they get older.

The findings may help dispel the myth that single women are in anyway less suited to motherhood than those who live with a spouse.

"Various family formations are a normal part of the Danish society, but data from our study show that the single women's original dream was to have a traditional family," said Maria Salomon, RN, lead author of the Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica study. "They stated that they still wish to include a man later on in their family life, but they want to ensure achieving motherhood first."