New Family Dynamics

Olivia Miles walked into the OceanPod Aquarium in search of something. She had heard of the story a few months ago, a female whitespotted bamboo shark that had apparently laid a clutch of eggs without any apparent fertilization. Although never having seen it for herself she had caught glimpses on the news and all over the internet. Researchers were discussing various possibilities for how this might have happened. Theories such as females with both male and female gonads, females having the ability to hold sperm for an extended amount of time, or by the newly discovered method of asexual reproduction known as parthenogenesis. Either way this news struck Olivia to the core. You see she was the child of a single parent. Her mother was a career woman who never had time to date or participate in the various steps needed to find a worthy partner capable of having children with. So, she took matters into her own hands and settled with a highly reputable sperm bank known to achieve results on their first try. Let’s just say their efforts are the reason why Olivia Miles is here today. Now although her way into this world isn’t exactly asexual reproduction, she did feel somehow connected to the pups that were born. She had to see it for yourself in hopes of finally learning to accept that her way of life can be the norm.

She slowly made her way to the touch tank. Signage was posted everywhere telling the story of the three pups born not too long ago by the single mother. People of all ages were standing around in awe. Some thought this was just a ploy to get more visitors into the aquarium, yet Olivia knew better. She had completed extensive research on the matter and found other aquariums all over the world that had witnessed other cases of parthenogenesis. Overlooking the tank, she had spotted quite a few sharks. She couldn’t easily distinguish the new pups from the rest of the sharks in the tank. This overwhelming feeling of belonging rushed over her as she said it aloud, “I can’t tell them apart.” She thought to herself that their creation story didn’t damper their ability to be seen as an equal. They were able to fit in, something she has tried to do in her own life but was never quite as successful. As if high school wasn’t hard enough but being the product of a rejected way of conception made it worse.

Moving closer to the aquarium educator she quickly got his attention. He was standing there with an “I Swim the Sharks” name tag showcasing his name Ben. Ben was talking to another visitor about the aquarium’s snorkeling and diving opportunities when Olivia politely excused herself. Without hesitation she begins conversation.

“Which of these sharks are the new pups that were just born by parthenogenesis?” she questioned.

“The three are tagged with red, white, and blue on their left pectoral fins. The mom has all three colors stamped on her left pectoral fin” Ben answered.

“How are they doing?” Olivia asked.

“Not too bad. The vets checked them out this morning and they appear to be growing at a steady rate. They love to eat shrimp. And it’s a good thing they don’t look differently than the rest, the animal kingdom can be so cruel to outcasts.” Ben replied.

“Tell me about it.” Olivia said with a half chuckle.

She moved away from Ben and back over to her original spot at the tank. She tracked down the first pup with the red tag, watching as it swam through a coral structure. Not long afterwards she found the other two pups resting in the far corner of the tank. Searching once more she found the mom in the center of the tank as other sharks swam by her, almost as if they were congratulating her. Olivia commented in a humoristic whisper, “Good for you momma shark, who needs a man.”

Over the loudspeaker she heard Ben voicing the instructions on how to pet one of the bamboo sharks. Olivia reiterated the directions in her head until she felt comfortable enough to do it. She took her two fingers and carefully ran them on the back of the shark in between the pectoral fins making sure to avoid the head and the caudal fin. It felt like sandpaper, rough one way but smooth the other. It was an exhilarating feeling. She needed to know more about them.

Returning to Ben she was determined to speak to one of the biologists who had worked closely with the pups. Understanding that it was a difficult request but feeling the confidence needed to move forward.

“Is there anyway I’d be able to speak to one of the biologists that dealt with the pups early on, I just have a few questions.” asked Olivia.

“Sure, I’ll radio one down, are you with the press?” questioned Ben.

“No, I’m just interested to learn more.” Olivia answered.

A few moments later a female biologist by the name of Carla walked into the room and toward Ben. He pointed her in the direction of Olivia. Olivia could barely hold back her excitement. She immediately shook Carla’s hand and thanked her so much for her time. Olivia then went into lengthy detail about her life story and how fascinated she was with the reality of shark asexual reproduction. Although overwhelmed by the extensive information given at that time, Carla took it upon herself to hear Olivia out. She can remember back when she was a kid the excitement she had going to the aquarium and talking the ears off many biologists before she became one herself. She knew how valuable it was as a biologist to have that passion acknowledged and catered to. She felt responsible for being that role model to a child eager to be part of the field one day.

Once Olivia finished talking Carla took her into the back room where all the behind the scenes took place. Olivia was mesmerized. She followed Carla into the break room where other biologists were taking their lunch. Carla introduced Olivia to everyone before taking a seat at the table. Olivia once again started off on her long explanation for what brought her here to the aquarium today. The staff was impressed to say the least. They began talking to her one by one about the research that went into determining that the pups were from a parthenogenic event.

Considering how no male white spotted bamboo sharks were in the exhibit for the last few years, they figured it had to of been a parthenogenic event, but they needed to be sure. There wasn’t any chance that the male coral cat sharks or male brown banded bamboo sharks would have had the chance to fertilize the eggs thanks to factors against species from mixing. But there was a chance that the female could have stored sperm inside her from years before she had the chance to fertilize the eggs. It had been found previously that female bamboo sharks can hold sperm inside them for thirteen to twenty-eight months, however some cases could be up to forty-five months. Sperm storage was debunked after a heterozygosity test was administered on the pups and mother. It was determined that the pups had a lower level of heterozygosity to their mother showing that the pups were from a parthenogenic event. Furthermore, examinations were done on the mother to rule out any presence of male and female gonads, which only female gonads were present.

Once the research overview was complete one biologist stood up with a cup in her hands stating, “To boss women who don’t need a man!” The rest of the biologists, Olivia included, stood to cheers as well. Olivia thought it was a funny gesture to agree with seeing as her mother did use a man, however he will never get the credit for doing the most basic function a man can do.

Olivia absorbed all the information being shared with her. She couldn’t believe that so much had gone into testing the sharks to prove that they were parthenogens. Even more, she couldn’t understand how something like this wasn’t talked about more in the animal kingdom. This level of asexual reproduction should have amazed more individuals than just her. She felt like it was her duty to share this story, and hopefully shed light into the various ways one can be born into this world.

She thanked the biologists for their time before heading out of the break room and back into the main lobby of the aquarium. Less people were at the touch tank currently. She walked over one last time to see the pups. All three were swimming around now, eager for their next feeding. Looking at them she felt like all her questions about herself had been answered. She felt less alone in the world knowing that you don’t two parents to make it in this world. She just needed the strength to accept herself and not be afraid of holding back to fit anyone’s societal norms.

Olivia left the aquarium with a newfound direction. Driving home she decided to reach out to her friends. They all agreed to meet at Olivia’s house to go over their sociology project. Until now they couldn’t settle on a topic to discuss. But after further persuasion from Olivia, they decided on different family dynamics. More importantly families that consisted of one mom, one dad, two dads, two moms, other parental type figures, etc. They wanted to break down the walls of how society sees how families are created, starting with Olivia’s story. They knew it was a stretch to include the story of the shark at the aquarium, but they felt like it was necessary for them to show how other species in the animal kingdom were participating and accepting of other alternatives to creating families besides the normal route. So, if sharks can do this, why can’t humans.

That following Monday Olivia with her friends Tyler, Luna, and Jack stood in front of their sociology class and presented their project. They each described the various family dynamics they were highlighting, taking note of the shark and other species they had researched. Towards the end, Olivia stood in front of the class and shared her story. Most of the kids had hear about it through rumors or made light of the subject with jokes. But this time they got to hear it from Olivia herself. She passionately shared her feelings about being a kid born through different methods. Added to the list were celebrities such as Logan Tool and Michelle Werker who have admitted to being born through surrogacy and artificial insemination. The pride she had felt sharing this information with the class was plastered all over her face. Once the presentation was over the class sat there in awe. They couldn’t believe the bravery of Olivia to speak on this topic. As Olivia was about to sit back into her seat the whole class stood up and started to clap, the teacher included. The joy Olivia felt brought tears to her eyes. For once she felt truly accepted by her peers. And to think that all of this was thanks to a female shark that was just as eager to have kids as her own mother was that they both didn’t have the time to deal with men.