the problematics of motherhood in twentieth century women's fiction

257
semen, socially, ethically and legally, however, it makes a
very significant difference.
6.7.2. Familial structures are also affected by
reproductive technology The age-old concept of 'family'
undergoes a restructuring, a revlslon of what it means to be
a parent, and the rights and obligations attached to this
Status Apart from exceptional cases such as adoption,
foster-parenthood and step-parenting, by a 'parent' we
generaily assume that biological and social components merge
In one person Thls concept undergoes a sharp change due to
reproductlve techniques, creatlng further diversity In
family conflguratlons Motherhood has been irrevocably
changed, affecting the experience of pregnancy and parentchild
relat~onshlps Pre-conception contract'Ja1 arrangements
affect chlldren the most who suffer intensely when kept in
lgncrance of blologlcal origlns Detractors of
technological motherkood therefore feel that lt turns
chlldrer. lnto a commodity, pregnancy Into a purchaseable
service and reduces the woman to a breeder, a means to an
end Parenthood becomes comodlfled, pregnancy ]udlclallsed,
reprodllction medlcallsed, and control over one's own
reproductive processes, diminished In the process
6.8.0. Are feminism and motherhood ln diametrical
opposltlon?
Is it impossible to be both a feminist and a