Thoughts about motherhood among female students in Mexico: bioethical perspectives on assisted reproduction and adoption

A trend of delaying motherhood is increasingly evident among women advancing their careers, particularly amid professional growth, economic uncertainty, and a complex environmental and geopolitical landscape. Women delaying motherhood face decisions about whether and how to have children. Options include assisted reproduction and adoption. While assisted reproduction presents social, ethical, and legal challenges for both the mother and the child, adoption aims to provide a family environment for children who have been abandoned or neglected. Women must engage in bioethical reflection when choosing between these options. This project assessed whether a captive population of graduate students in Mazatlán, Mexico, possess the knowledge to conduct bioethical reflection that informs their decision-making, particularly when choosing between assisted reproduction and adoption to achieve motherhood. Twenty-one students responded to a self-designed questionnaire, which was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. The findings indicate that this study group has some awareness of assisted reproductive technologies and adoption, which shapes their views and reactions. It is evident that a woman's level of education is crucial for making informed decisions. Key topics identified were maternal age, discrimination, eugenics, and the child’s best interests. Although not initially considered, reproductive anxiety is also discussed.