Celebrating Single Dads by Choice This Father’s Day

The traditional image of fatherhood is evolving, with a growing number of men choosing to become single dads by choice. In fact, roughly 20% of single-parent households are single fathers, a group that has grown substantially in the past few decades. This shift in societal norms is empowering men to embrace parenthood on their own terms, regardless of relationship status. 
At Cofertility, we work with single dads by choice all the time! In fact, one of the father’s we had the pleasure of helping was featured in the New York Times!

Why single fatherhood by choice?

Men can decide to become single dads by choice for a number of reasons:

• Strong desire for parenthood: For many men, the longing for fatherhood outweighs the traditional expectation of being in a partnership to raise a child. They feel ready to embark on the journey of parenting and are confident in their ability to provide love and support.
• Changing societal norms: As society becomes more accepting of diverse family structures, single parenthood is increasingly normalized for both men and women. This cultural shift has removed some of the stigma associated with single dads, making it a more accessible and viable option for men.
• Egg donation and Surrogacy: Advancements in reproductive technologies and third party reproduction practices have made single fatherhood a more achievable reality. Men can now pursue parenthood as a single father while having a genetic connection to their child.

Read more in How to Start a Family as a Single Dad by Choice

What the research says about the experiences of single fathers by choice, and their children

A 2020 study examined the well-being of single fathers by choice and their children, comparing them to partnered fathers who had children through various methods. The study found no significant differences in terms of depression, anxiety, parenting quality, parent-child relationship quality, or child adjustment between single and partnered fathers. However, the study revealed that single fathers, both gay and heterosexual, experienced higher levels of parenting stress compared to partnered fathers. Overall, the study suggests that while single fathers may face unique challenges, their families generally demonstrate positive adjustment regardless of family structure or sexual orientation.

A 2022 study of single fathers by choice through surrogacy and egg donation found that these fathers generally experience social support and approval, particularly from close friends and family. However, they also face stigmatizing interactions, primarily from strangers and through negative media representations.

The fathers in the study often received positive reactions when disclosing their family type, with many expressing excitement and support for their decision. Yet, they also encountered scrutiny and questioning, particularly in public settings, highlighting the nuanced social perception of single fathers by choice.

The findings suggest that while single fathers by choice experience positive adjustment overall, they still face prejudice and stigma related to their family structure. This underscores the importance of breaking stigmas and normalizing the route of single fatherhood.

Celebrity single dads

Here are some of our favorite gay dads who ventured out on their own:

Andy Cohen is a single father who used surrogacy to start a family. He has two children, born in 2019 and 2022 via egg donation and surrogacy. In a statement announcing the birth of his first child, Cohen wrote “Family means everything to me, and having one of my own is something I’ve wanted in my heart for my entire life, and though it’s taken me longer than most to get there, I cannot wait for what I envision will be the most rewarding chapter yet.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, famous European soccer player, became a father in 2010. He’s told the press his child  “doesn't need a mother, just me – having a father is enough.” He went on to have two more children as a single father before meeting his now wife, with whom he shares a fourth child. 

Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger, became a single father in 2013 to a baby boy, born via egg donation and surrogacy. He then had daughters in 2015 and 2017. He faces feelings of guilt like many parents, “I function with lots of guilt, but that can be a good thing. It means I’m trying hard to be a good parent, and I set the bar high. I’m always worrying: ‘Am I spending enough time with my kids? Am I working too hard? Have I scheduled enough playdates this week?”

Ricky Martin is a celebrity father who has used egg donation and surrogacy to start a family. In 2008, he welcomed twins Valentino and Matteo as a single parent through surrogacy. Martin has said that he chose egg donation and surrogacy as a faster option than adoption, and he approached the process with no fear. Ten years later, Martin and his now husband, Jwan Yosef, welcomed their first daughter, Lucia, together. In 2019, they added a fourth child, a son named Renn, to their family as well. Martin has been open about his experience and has used his platform to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all parents. 

Jose Rolon, the Instagram and TikTok star behind the handle @nycgaydad, had a son Avery via egg donation and surrogacy with his husband Tim Merrell. However, Tim tragically passed when Avery was nine months old and their surrogate was 11 weeks pregnant with their twin daughters. Jose has raised all three children as a single parent since then, an experience he regularly shares on his social media handles. 

Karan Johar, Bollywood star, became a father to a son and daughter through egg donation and surrogacy in 2017. He often speaks about the help and support he has received from his mother on Instagram, “I am a single parent in social status...but in actuality am definitely not....my mother so beautifully and emotionally co parents our babies with me...I could never have taken such a big decision without her solid support.”

Fertility solutions for intended single fathers

Are you a single man dreaming of fatherhood? It's more achievable than you might think! 

We started this company with the vision of serving all families, regardless of what brought them here. And we promise to provide you with the care we would want for our families. With our commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and innovation, we are striving to be the best in the industry.

Our unique egg sharing model empowers donors and enables families to find the perfect egg donor match quickly and easily, setting a new standard for excellence in our field. Whether you are just getting educated on egg donation or ready to move forward, we want to help you achieve your goals and build the family of your dreams.

Understanding your options:

As a single man, your path to parenthood involves two key elements:

• Egg donation: We'll connect you with our extensive network of incredible egg donors who are ready to help you create your family. You can match with a donor based on your preferences for physical traits, personality, education, and more.
• Gestational surrogacy:  Once you have donor eggs, we can help you connect with a surrogacy agency to start the surrogacy process. 

Create a free account to get started today!

We aim to be the best egg-sharing program, providing an experience that honors, respects, and uplifts everyone involved. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Human-centered. We didn’t like the status quo in egg donation. So we’re doing things differently, starting with our human-centered matching platform.
• Donor empowerment. Our model empowers donors to preserve their own fertility, while lifting you up on your own journey. It’s a win-win.
• Diversity: We’re proud of the fact that the donors on our platform are as diverse as the intended parents seeking to match with them. We work with intended parents to understand their own cultural values — including regional nuances — in hopes of finding them the perfect match.
• Baby Guarantee. We truly want to help you bring your baby home, and we will re-match you for free until that happens.
• Lifetime support: Historically, other egg donation options have treated egg donor matching as a one-and-done experience. Beyond matching, beyond a pregnancy, beyond a birth…we believe in supporting the donor-conceived family for life. Our resources and education provide intended parents with the guidance they need to raise happy, healthy kids and celebrate their origin stories.

We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey — today or in the future — and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive. 

Your dream of fatherhood starts here

Ready to embark on your journey to fatherhood? Cofertility is here to celebrate your choice and help you make your dream a reality. Create a free account to get started today. We're excited to be part of your story!