ALTRUISM AND MORALITY IN CONTEMPORARY FAMILY

Abstract

In this paper we aim to present the new types of families that appeared in the contemporary society and the necessary parental skills that the member of these families should have in order to raise children so they become healthy, functional, happy and independent adults. In many ways the children of the families conceived through assisted reproductive technologies resemble to adopted children. They are raised by mothers and fathers to whom they may miss the genetic link and they are biologically linked to donors of sperm or egg that they have no idea about. Studies show that many of these children don’t know how they were conceived and this secrecy could become a problem as they grow up. Also, the society moral rules should change in order to accept and not discriminate the new families because a discriminative attitude could severely affect the social integration of the children coming from these families. We consider that, on the long term the disclosure about the conception through assisted reproductive technologies, the possibility to meet the donors after the age 18 and a tolerant attitude towards the new types of families are important aspects that should be regulated and respected for the best interests of the children. Ultimately, in order for all the children to be properly raised several conditions must be fulfilled: to have altruist loving parents, their parents to not suffer of any mental illness, to have secure parental attachment, to know their life story and to be accepted for what they are.