My research centers on the sociological study of surrogate pregnancy in East Asia, particularly focusing on China, where surrogacy remains a legally ambiguous practice. In contrast to countries where surrogacy has been legalized and integrated into a regulated industry, China's surrogacy landscape operates in a grey zone, often shaped by socio-cultural forces.
In the context of Chinese society, surrogacy is not only influenced by patriarchal structures, where it can serve as a tool of heterosexual oppression, but it also plays a unique role among marginalized groups, such as the LGBT community. For these groups, surrogacy represents an avenue for family formation outside conventional societal norms, yet one fraught with legal and ethical uncertainties. My research seeks to analyze these contrasting dynamics, investigating how legal ambiguities, societal perceptions, and the needs of such marginalized communities intersect in shaping surrogacy practices. This study will involve both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to capture a comprehensive view of surrogacy’s implications and its evolving role in Chinese society.
