Caitlyn Bailey, a Melbourne influencer with over 60,000 followers on Instagram, has made headlines for her controversial choice to travel to the US for IVF sex selection, spending $45,000 in hopes that her next child will be a girl. As a single mother of two boys and a girl, Bailey felt it was important to share her journey online to connect with other parents who may face similar dilemmas. She expressed her desire for positivity and support rather than confrontation, stating, “I didn’t share it to start online arguments… I thought if there’s people out there that it could potentially help… that’s why I shared it.”
Sex selection via IVF remains illegal in Australia, with harsh penalties imposed on clinics that offer such services. Despite this, some Australian parents have sought options abroad to achieve a desired gender balance among their children. Human rights experts in Australia, like Professor Paula Gerber from Monash University, have condemned the practice. Gerber highlights that such preferences often perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, particularly the devaluation of daughters.
The UN and the World Health Organization have both taken a firm stance against sex selection for mere preference, which raises ethical and moral concerns regarding potential conditional parental love based on a child’s gender. Gerber argues that this approach is problematic, raising questions about acceptance should a child identify as intersex or transgender.
Globally, attitudes toward sex selection differ significantly. While some countries, including the US and various parts of Asia and Mexico, permit the practice, it remains illegal in Australia. Surveys indicate that more than 80% of Australians oppose gender-based selection, viewing it as a commodification of children and a slippery slope towards ‘designer babies.’ As public sentiment aligns with existing laws, Bailey’s decision reignites ongoing debates about the ethical implications of gender selection in modern parenting.