When people hear the term “sperm donation,” many still feel a bit uneasy.
Quite a few people associate it with medical issues, ethical concerns, or the impression that it’s “something for people with special circumstances.”
However, when you actually see it in action, what you find is simply “a part of an ordinary life.”
There are people who, while working and going about their daily lives, hope to “support others in whatever way they can” and “start a family.”
Shifting the act of giving from something “special” to a “natural choice.”
I believe that is the change our society needs going forward.
The Background Behind Why It Is Perceived as “Something Special”
In Japan, there are still few opportunities for public discussion or education regarding sperm donation.
As a result, information is limited, creating a situation where misunderstandings and prejudices can easily arise.
Persistent stereotypes such as “donation = a risky, anonymous act” and “donors = people who shirk responsibility” remain deeply ingrained.
News stories about a man who falsified his background to become a sperm donor had previously spread in Japan, and I, too, did not have a particularly favorable impression of sperm donation.
However, in reality, both the provider and the recipient think deeply about the situation and prepare carefully.
There are also an increasing number of cases where people discuss everything from STD testing and counseling to the nature of their future relationship.
What we see here is not recklessness, but sincerity.
Yet society tends to treat these efforts as “exceptions.”
This is one of the reasons why the word “provision” still carries a heavy stigma.
Creating an environment where people can speak freely
“Ordinary things” are topics that anyone can talk about.
For example, just as friends can talk about “marriage” or “having a baby,”
I hope we can create a society where people can also talk about “having a child through donation” or “being involved as a donor”
without causing a stir.
In Old Daddy’s activities as well, rather than “hiding” our offerings and support,
we prioritize “being able to choose with confidence.”
If there is an atmosphere where people can speak openly about their choices,
understanding—not misunderstanding—will emerge.
As small acts of outreach and conversations increase,
sperm donation will naturally become established in society not as “something only special people do,” but as “one option among many in life.”
It’s not just the system that needs to be “normalized”
Of course, establishing laws and guidelines is important.
However, what makes something “normal” is “people’s perceptions” rather than institutional frameworks.
For example, can you naturally say, “How cute!” when you see a child born through egg donation?
That single phrase sets the tone for society.
If an atmosphere spreads where people don’t assume that family structures or parent-child bonds “should be a certain way,”
the choice to use egg donation will no longer be viewed as something out of the ordinary.
As people’s emotions and attitudes soften, social institutions will naturally change as well.
The first step is to change your “perspective.”
That is the beginning of what we call “normal.”
The systems that support service delivery foster a sense of “peace of mind”
Like Old Daddy, a system that provides not only initial support but also ongoing child support presents society with a “relationship that doesn’t end after just one time,” as described at
.
The essence of this system lies not in “giving money,” but in “sharing responsibility.”
As long as support continues, giving will take root not merely as an act, but as a social responsibility.
Both those who provide support and those who receive it can build relationships with peace of mind.
As this sense of security builds up, the impression that “providing support equals instability” or that it is a “special kind of act” will gradually fade.
The Role of the Media and Education
For giving to be accepted as “the norm,”
it is essential that accurate and honest information be disseminated throughout society.
While these issues are often sensationalized on TV and social media,
we need more opportunities to thoughtfully convey the voices of those who are actually involved in these efforts.
In educational settings as well, we should treat the diversity of family structures and reproductive medicine not as “exceptions” but as “reality.”
This will help shape the values of the next generation in a more open-minded way.
“Normal” is the result of someone’s cumulative efforts.
It takes time for something to become “normal” in society.
The same is true for content creation.
The people active today
are, in fact, walking right in the midst of that “process of change.”
People who find the courage to take action,
People who speak out while confronting prejudice,
People who build support systems.
Each and every one of these actions
is shaping the “norm” of the future.
What it means for something to become “normal” is
Eventually, there may come a day when the word “provision” no longer requires an explanation.
That is a state where “everyone knows about it, but no one treats it as anything special.”
“There are families like that, aren’t there?”
“That’s one option, isn’t it?”
A society where such conversations can be exchanged naturally is
a society where caregiving has truly become “the norm.”
Finally
Initiatives like Old Daddy play a role in establishing the practice of providing support—as seen at
—not as something special, but as a sustainable and sincere choice that takes root in society.
Both those who provide and those who receive support should be treated not as “special people,” but as “just one person in someone’s everyday life.”
That is the first step toward creating an “era where no explanation is needed” when it comes to the term “sperm donation.”
I believe that making sperm donation a normal part of life isn’t about the system,
but rather about each person’s perspective and the accumulation of conversations.
Small Steps Toward Living a Normal Life
There are many things we can do on the ground to make the matching process feel more “normal.” For example, we can soften the language we use in our interactions just a little. Simply adding a sentence like, “If you have any concerns, please don’t push yourself,” can change the impression of the relationship. In your profile, include not only information about medical tests and special considerations but also a brief comment that conveys your personality. If the recipient also candidly shares the background behind their preferences, misunderstandings will be reduced.
It’s also effective to “agree to leave things undecided” regarding post-donation arrangements at an early stage. By stating, “Let’s not decide now; we’ll discuss it when the need arises,” you create flexibility for both parties. Don’t seek a perfect answer from the start. Proceed thoughtfully, even while you’re still unsure. As these small practices accumulate, the stereotype that “donation equals risk” will gradually fade, and the overall sense of security will grow.”
Old Daddy's Message to Society
The system of ongoing child support is based on the premise that “the relationship continues.” This is not a story where the provider disappears, but one where they continue to fulfill their responsibilities while maintaining a distance.In response to the misconception that “money is cold,” it presents a new value system: “Continuity itself can be proof of sincerity.” Whether support continues speaks volumes about trust—far more eloquently than words ever could.
The more such real-life examples are brought to light, the more providing support shifts from being an “exceptional event” to a “choice that becomes part of everyday life.” Rather than simply waiting for the system to be established, we must build it from the ground up. Old Daddy’s activities can serve as a catalyst for this change.
It is the voices of today that shape the “normal” of tomorrow.
Finally, it is not grand speeches by individuals but the small, everyday voices that make giving a normal part of life. “I felt relieved to know I had options,” “I was saved when someone told me I didn’t have to push myself”—as these genuine feelings accumulate, the atmosphere of society will undoubtedly change. It doesn’t have to be flashy or draw attention. Quiet, accurate information; thoughtful dialogue; and ongoing support. When these three elements come together, the choice to give becomes a natural part of daily life that requires no explanation.