Thousands of Britons are turning to matchmaking sites to find a partner for parenthood without romance, a trend known as 'platonic parenting'. The phenomenon has gained traction, particularly after lockdown disrupted conventional dating, according to Ivan Fatovic, founder of Modamily, one of the first such sites in the US, which counts London among its top locations.
Fatovic, 48, launched Modamily in 2011 after hearing friends in their mid-30s lament the difficulty of finding a partner ready to start a family. 'We were all on dating sites, approaching 40 and many were still single,' he told the Mirror. 'My female friends felt their biological clock ticking, but most men they met were either too young, already taken, or divorced and not wanting more children.'
The site offers traditional dating, known sperm donors, and platonic co-parenting, where users make long-term commitments without a sexual or emotional connection. Fatovic encourages users to develop trust over six months to a year before proceeding, and to draw up a co-parenting agreement covering living arrangements, finances, schooling, and future relationships.
Modamily's approach includes a compatibility questionnaire focusing on parenting styles, education, and health, rather than romance. Users can sign up for free with limited options or pay $32 a month for premium access. The site also maintains one of the largest known sperm donor databases in the US, connecting donors—who are unpaid—with recipients comfortable with their child knowing their biological origins.
Fatovic, who is a stepfather to his partner's children, believes platonic parenting can be as successful as traditional marriage. 'A lot of people put off having kids for their career, but then the time comes to make decisions,' he said. 'We see people get married and divorced after having children, yet they can still be friends and share custody.'
