Man, woman, couple: facing the challenges of medically assisted procreation

Abstract The wider use of medically assisted procreation techniques has led to the spread of a new social imaginary of procreation, filiation and parenthood that involves the identities of men, women and couples. In this new social imaginary, filiation is split into its different genetic, biological and social components, while reproduction is separated from sexuality and indeed the sexual act, bringing into play new figures of men, women and couples who overcome all the biological, genetic and in some cases natural issues related to reproduction. These individuals are willing to accept that there is room for more subjects and social actors (more fathers, mothers and parents) in the field of procreation. This article aims to highlight how both sexes are preparing for this new transition, presenting the results of an empirical study conducted with a quota sample of 360 Italian men and women.