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Should Abandoning Babies Be Legalized?
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 03-08-2001, 2:25 PM
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Because of the increasing numbers of babies abandoned on the street, or in a dumpster, lawmakers last year passed a law that would make it legal for birth mothers to leave their child at a fire station or a police station.
Women who drop off their babies at these safe houses would not prosecuted.
Proponents say that the law prevents crime and save lives. Critics think it would promote recklessness and irresponsibility.
What do you think? Should women be legally allowed to abandon their babies?
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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visitorme
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06-20-2001, 3:27 PM
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NO!I do not want to raise 14 billion of your bad decissions.
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rastus
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04-09-2001, 1:21 PM
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I would rather see the babies abandoned safely than for them to end up in a dumpster, toilet, trash can, etc. If the girls feel they cannot deal with parenthood, then give them a way to see that the child is cared for and loved. There are many people who want children and are unable to have them. Adoption of the unwanted babies is available, so making the abandonment legal may give these girls/women a way of protecting the baby as well as themselves. I don't think they should be given custody of the baby later, however!
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pj79
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04-02-2001, 5:40 PM
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This is a tough one. If a woman (or man) has already made the decision to abandon the baby, then at least they are doing it safely. As for no charges... well, at least they were making sure that the child lived, but I do agree with the other writers that measures should be taken so this irresponsibility does not repeat itself. As for the mother again receiving custody of the baby? Absolutely not. She gave up her parental rights at the scene. If she really wanted and loved that child, she would have made it work, whether she kept it or gave it up for adoption. I think that a mother should much rather want the child go to a loving home of someone she trusts other that leave it in the arms of strangers, even if it is a safe place.
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Puppy
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03-26-2001, 2:37 AM
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I'm going off on a tangent here, I know, but I find the misogyny on this thread sickening and I'm going to point it out and kick it around. (I find it even more sickening that WOMEN on the this thread are supporting this hatred of women.)
First, let's recall biology class and those talks mommy and daddy had with us as children. To make a baby there needs to be both a MAN and a WOMAN. Somewhere in this discussion the role of the male has been lost. I've seen calls for sterilizing the mothers -- what of the fathers? They were the ones who ejaculated, after all. Maybe daddy needs his testes snipped while mommy's having her ovaries removed. I also saw another individual demand that women "keep their legs closed." Yeah, whatever, the men need to keep their pants zipped, too.
I think if mothers are to be prosecuted under this law, so too should the fathers (if the mother or law enforcement know who they are). The fathers should held for as much guilt for abandoning their child entirely with the mother as the mother should be for dumping the kid off on a doorstep. It would seem with all of the inequality Mr. Preacher Man on the thread thinks exist, that we've completely singled out the father and focused entirely on the mother. It seems just as inequal as ever.
Should this be legalized? Well . . . I like that Texas law, which allows the government to look at the case more by individual than by general action.
By the way, I'm a guy, in case you were wondering.
-- Randy
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reh
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03-15-2001, 9:36 AM
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To allow this mother to regain custody of the baby she abandoned would send the wrong message that this is acceptable behavior and if you change your mind, oh well, here is your baby back. She should have at least child neglect charges filed against her and possibly attempted murder charges. As as society, we must send a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. The innocent child deserves better parents that this mother could possibly be.
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ameeves
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03-15-2001, 9:24 AM
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I agree with the message that said abandonment should be legal but that women who abandon their children should be sterilized to ensure that they never do it again. As a mother of three (my first came when I was only 19 and on my own) I cannot fathom what would make anyone leave a baby in an alley or anywhere else dangerous. That mother should go to jail and never see that baby again. The baby deserves a safe, loving home.
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mamagidget
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03-13-2001, 11:46 PM
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Abandoning babies should not be legalized. There are plenty of other options for women who don't want to keep their babies. There are plenty of couples who cannot have babies for one reason or another and if these women are responsible enough to become pregnant they should be able to make responsible decisions well before the child is born as to whether they are ready to be a mother or not. If they can't do this then they should be responsible enough not to get pregnant in the first place.
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benjaminco
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03-13-2001, 11:28 PM
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I think so generally. But in this case of the mother wanting the baby back, on a case by case basis, this one should not get it back. Anyone who can leave a living thing- even an immobile pet, nevermind a baby, even a stranger's baby, nevermind her own, is missing a psychological quality needed to mother. It is an inability to empathize, or externally reference. Therefore, she would be incapeable of NOT abusing this child. Even with therapy, she is what's known as a borderline personality- ask a therapist. They have something missing in bonding and conscience. It's not her fault, and I hope she gets longterm help. Though prognosis is poor for this, some improvement is better than none.
BC
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budroseros
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03-13-2001, 5:50 PM
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How stupid! if you want to PLAY THEN YOU NEED TO PAY! if not ladies keep your legs closed. why should a innocent child have to suffer because of YOUR stupidness!
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sinpelo
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03-09-2001, 9:40 PM
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Sure, make it legal to abandon babies...but let us sterilize them before they do it again. Why allow a burden to society CONTINUE to be a burden to society?
Sincerely
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