Couple Debates Donor Sperm Over Inherited Nose, While Parents Face Frozen Goldfish Mishap
A Slate parenting column fielded two letters: one husband upset his wife wants donor sperm to avoid passing his large nose, and another parent seeking guidance after their child froze a goldfish.
In Slate’s Care and Feeding advice column, a husband shared that his wife, Irena, wants to use donor sperm to prevent their future child from inheriting his large nose, a trait he corrected with surgery after a difficult childhood. The columnist warned that such a request borders on eugenics and suggested the decision should rest with the individual, not be imposed by a partner, while also noting that donor sperm does not guarantee a flawless child.
The piece also featured a separate query about a four-year-old son who, inspired by a cryonics show, froze the family goldfish in a Ziploc bag, believing he was preserving it. The columnist advised against lying to the child, recommending an honest explanation of death and a gentle memorial, while allowing space for the child’s grief. Both letters illustrate parental challenges in navigating sensitive topics with children and partners.
Why it matters
The piece highlights how personal insecurities and modern science can strain family decisions and underscores the importance of honest parenting.
In this story
