"The experiences of women are central to the societal debate on surrogate motherhood, crucial to our understanding of the complex relationships generated by this new form of family. Across the country, a wide range of women from different walks of life are invisbly tethered together by the issue of surrogacy. The proper societal approach to surrogacy can be developed only by understanding the experiences of these women. Some of them have been surrogates and can speak knowingly of the joy or harm the process brought them. Some are psychologists and sociologists who can describe how society's acceptance or rejection of surrogacy will influence how women are treated in other contexts. Still others are female lawmakers who can provide insights on how laws on surrogacy will affect legal rights and responsibilities in constitutional law, family law, employment law, and criminal law". -- Prologue, p. xv.