The dark side of surrogacy
Today, Explained

The dark side of surrogacy

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 8, 202626 min
  • Documentary
  • Society

The case of a California couple who had more than 20 kids via surrogacy before being charged with child abuse illustrates how a lack of regulation can lead to chaos. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A group of babies sitting on the floor. Photo by Tom Merton via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com...

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A few years back, Kayla found a gig that would let her support her kids and also let someone

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B2 · Upper-intermediate

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0:00

Kayla is a mom of four from Corpus Christi. A few years back, Kayla found a gig that would let her support her kids and also let someone else experience the joys of parenthood, surrogacy. She signed up with an agency and became a surrogate.

0:13

She was going to be carrying a child for a couple in California whom she'd never met, but the agency sent her a profile. It's kind of like dating in that world. They're like smiling and that man seems to be a bit older.

0:24

He's in his sixties. The woman is in her 30s and they express that they really want to be like a lifelong friend of whoever carries a child for them. That was not what happened.

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