More Thoughts on Family Planning
Actual conversation overheard recently...
Acquaintance A: "I think I'd like to have one child. But I'd also like to adopt."
[I love the thought of adoption. Very few acts are more loving in my book.]
Acquaintance B: "Yeah, that'd be cool."
Acquantaince A: "The thing, though, that keeps me from saying yes to adoption, though, is I really think I would make a cute baby."
Acquaintance B: "Yeah, I could see that."
Physical looks are now are our adoption/conception decision-maker. Jaw-dropping.
posted by Lyons at
6:14 PM
4 Comments:
Hey Tom,
Thought you might find this interesting: Dan and I got a letter from my medical group the other day, stating that I'm approved for admission to the hospital when the baby comes, blah blah blah. In addition, they included some things we should be thinking about before the baby gets here:
1. finding a pediatrician (good idea; taking note of it)
2. STERILIZATION (Are you kidding me? No thanks, I've got 20 years of fertility left, and I intend to use them)
Just goes to show you how off-kilter our culture of death is.
8:06 AM
Where some see "culture of death," others see "culture of responsibility." I'm not at all suggesting that having nine kids is irresponsible, as long as one's specific financial situation and support network is able to handle nine kids. What I am saying is it's irresponsible not to at least ponder that question.
Now, if sterilization were a requirement rather than merely a suggestion, then you'd be on to something ... but what's the matter with merely offering someone an option?
12:55 PM
Pardon my manners -- congratulations on your impending birth, Katie.
12:56 PM
Several-fold reply:
*Merely disclosing the option of sterilization does not demonstrate the same culpability toward a culture of death as, say, a more extreme case.
*The hospital has a financial responsibility to its shareholders to disclose sterilization as an option. Not because they're necessarily anti-children, but in fact we live in a world where abortion providers can be sued for failed abortions: (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/174109/woman_sues_planned_parenthood_for_failed.html).
*There are some who will take a perceived suggestion to sterilization as a bit off-base. Particularly those with "20 years of fertility left." I can't say I blame them.
*Vasectomy, sterilization, any sort of end to fertility MAY AT BEST suggest a certain responsibility to family planning. When one thinks about it critically, though, I think we'd have to conclude that the commitment to have no more children is quite literally as large a commitment as maintaining singlehood throughout life: it's no small big deal. I feel I'm on terra firma to say -- and I admit I'm painting with a broad brush -- that as a culture we rush into the decision.
6:09 PM
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home