How Media and Influencers Are Shaping the Global Narrative Around Surrogacy

Introduction: The Divide in the Dialogue

Surrogacy has become a global lightning rod. In one headline, it’s a compassionate act of life-giving generosity. In another, it’s a commodified transaction—a womb for rent. As the conversation grows more polarized, media narratives and influencer voices are taking centre stage, crafting stories that either uplift or undermine the people most directly involved: surrogate carriers and intended parents.

But is the truth getting lost in the noise?

The Power of Framing: Media as Mythmaker

From television dramas to breaking news in publications, the way surrogacy is framed has enormous consequences. In many Western outlets, commercial surrogacy is often shown through two lenses:

• The Exploitation Lens: Featuring poor women in developing countries portrayed as desperate, coerced, or voiceless.
• The Glamour Lens: Spotlighting celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Kim Kardashian, or Anderson Cooper who “opted” for surrogacy with high-end clinics and ‘perfect outcomes’.

Both are oversimplified. Rarely do we hear from the surrogate carrier herself—or see the full context of her decision. This framing creates a binary: you’re either a victim or a vessel, not a thinking, feeling human with agency.

In contrast, local Indian or Ukrainian news sometimes frame surrogacy as an economic opportunity—a lifeline in challenging times. Same act, different spin.

Influencers: Storytelling That Hits Different

Today’s digital influencers—especially on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube—are reshaping the narrative in real time. And their stories feel more real than a polished docuseries ever could. These influencers are building empathy and busting myths. They show that surrogacy isn’t always exploitative, nor is it always glamorous. It’s messy. Human. Nuanced.

Culture Clashes: East vs. West Perceptions

Cultural norms shape how surrogacy is viewed. In Western Europe, commercial surrogacy is even banned in certain countries, often on ethical grounds. In the U.S., it’s legal and regulated—but only in some states. Meanwhile, countries like Georgia, Armenia, Mexico and Cyprus became hotspots for international intended parents, especially same-sex couples who face restrictions at home.

The media reaction varies:

• In France: Public discourse frames surrogacy as an assault on “motherhood and dignity.”
• In the U.S.: It’s often pitched as reproductive freedom—especially for women who can’t carry due to health issues.
• In India: After banning commercial surrogacy in 2022, the government framed the shift as protecting women from exploitation—but it also eliminated income for many women who chose the path willingly.

So which version of the story is true? Maybe all of them. Maybe none.

Where Do We Go From Here?

If the media wields this much power over perception, it’s time we ask: Who gets to tell the story of surrogacy? And what responsibilities do influencers have when they share their journeys?

Here are three ways to move the narrative forward:

1. Center Real Voices: Give space to surrogate partners—especially from marginalized regions—to speak without filters.
2. Challenge One-Note Stories: When a story sounds too good or too tragic to be true, it probably is.
3. Diversify Representation: Show all kinds of surrogate carriers and surrogacy stories—not just women in dire financial circumstances or privileged women on Instagram.

Final Thoughts: From Transaction to Transformation

Surrogacy, at its best, is not a transaction—it’s a relationship. One that can empower women, build families, and challenge old definitions of parenthood. But if we only consume simplified, sensationalized versions of the story, we rob it of its complexity.

It’s time to go beyond “wombs for rent” or “empowered choice.” It’s not either/or. It’s both/and. And it’s deeply human.