Would you and your mate consider seeking a surrogate mother if you could not have a baby? In today's Stars and Stripes, reporter Charlie Coon writes about an American military couple in Stuttgart who are looking for a surrogate to bear their second child. Click here to read the story.

The cover story of the April 7 Newsweek is about the flip side: Women who choose to be surrogates. The anecdotal evidence of the reporters (no statistics are available) suggests that a considerable number of surrogates are military wives. Click here for the Newsweek story.

Why? Economics, perhaps: The Newsweek reporters cite factors such as limited job and career opportunities for military spouses and the fact that Tricare pays for the births as possible reasons. Potential parents do not have to bear the cost of prenatal care and delivery if their surrogate is a military dependent.

What do you think?

• Is this a service you would consider performing, or asking someone to perform for you?
• Should military healthcare cover births that are "for profit" arrangements? Surrogates can earn around $20,000 for their nine months of effort.
• Does this reveal anything about the military community?