Last night, I was clicking around on the Net and found some blogs that raises some issues around the world. Let’s just say I’ve bookmarked a lot of them. That reminds me, I seriously need to organize my Favorites.
One issue that really sparked my interest was abandoned children — newborn babies, in particular. I know there are mothers out there that become very overwhelmed with the responsibility in raising a child, especially in the weeks following the birth. But is it too much for you to handle that you decide to put your child in a dumpster or alongside a road?
I know that this serious issue is common with teenage parents, but I’ve read elsewhere that even adult parents are guilty for this as well. So I will not be quick to shake a finger at teenagers alone.
“…the baby hatch is a last resort meant to save the lives of babies who would otherwise be left to die.”
- Taiji Hasuda (Hospital Director)
Kumamoto Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
Earlier this year in May, a Baby Hatch was installed at Kumamoto Hospital where the biological parents can anonymously drop off their “unwanted child”. There the child will be looked after until he or she is adopted.
Months before the program was adopted, it raised issues amongst the Japanese conservative government. Apparently, they don’t support adoption or abortions because of their declining birth rate. Despite that, the Baby Hatch was built. Ever since this has started, the number of (deceased) abandoned babies amongst the streets have been declining in Kyoto. So, there is something good coming out of that: Less children dying.
With that in mind, I wondered why can’t we have that kind of program here in the US?
It’s disheartening to watch the news sometimes and see that a newborn infant is found in a dumpster behind a college dormitory, some fast food joint, or in dirty alleys. Some are found sick, nearing death, or already dead. If having a child is that much of an “issue” or “disruption” in a woman’s life, then why not take up on OTHER OPTIONS that are available out there? There’s abortion (which I don’t agree with unless the pregnancy is health or life-threatening to the expectant mother) and adoption. I can’t really say “Be more careful!” because there are possibilities that makes contraceptions less effective.
Personally, I can’t even find a part of me that would do such a thing as abandoning a child. It’s heartbreaking (and sometimes a headache) to hear or turn away from a baby crying. I’m the type who would go to the baby comfort her or him.
I don’t have children of my own, but I know for sure that I would NEVER abandon them. *sigh* This is one topic I will definitely follow-up on in the future.
More articles:
- Baby Hatch - Geishablog.com
- Japan’s first ‘baby hatch’ opens to controversy
- “Baby hatch” highlights Japan fears over adoption
- Japanese culture frowns upon adoptions
- Abortions in Japan
- Aborted Women: A Japanese Perspective
Image source: (1) Wikipedia, (2) www.breitbart.com
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:15pm
Its upsetting to hear what some mothers do to their children. The most messed up story I heard was when a mother gave birth to her baby, stuffed it in a cereal box and put it in the dumpster. What’s really good w/ your mind?
I don’t know if there should be a program like Baby Hatch in America. You know there would be a long line at the Baby Hatch to drop of their child. Lots of pre-teens, teens, females who don’t know how to use condoms, etc will be lining up. Heh.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:39pm
@ cyn
I’ve been reading up on why some women made the choice of abandonment, which is they don’t want the adoption agency to look at them as “unfit” parents based on their decision. And I’m sure adoption agencies will argue that they don’t express any guilt on the biological parents.
So if anonymity is what these kind of parents want, then having a ‘Baby Hatch’ will be a good idea. I’d rather hear about a newborn recently found in a ‘Baby Hatch’ rather than in a dumpster. At least then the baby would be alive and have a chance to live it’s life…