The Commercialization of Emily - Page 2

"THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF EMILY" > Page 1, 2

Sending The Wrong Messages

There is a disquieting trend in recent legislation connected to adoption.

Laws and programs around the country to legalize anonymous abandonment of babies at hospitals and fire stations have all the earmarks of a caring outreach to save the lives of unwanted babies, but do nothing to address the needs of the pregnant women who are in such turmoil that they feel hiding a pregnancy and/or leaving a baby in an unsafe place is their only recourse.

They do nothing for the woman who believes she has to hide her pregnancy and gets no medical care; the woman whose secret pregnancy results in a still-birth (or perceived still-birth); the woman who gives birth and is unable (physically or emotionally) to get to a "drop off" point before the baby is hurt or dies. And they do nothing for the emotional upheaval a woman experiences in this kind of crisis.

Instead of laws that send a message that abandonment is an acceptable option (otherwise, why would it be legal?) why not build awareness of programs that already exist - and legislate funding for more - to provide totally confidential medical care, counseling, sanctuary, and education?

And why use a $5,000 tax credit to encourage relinquishment, which rings baby-selling alarm bells? The stated purpose of the credit is to help offset medical and personal expenses and does nothing for women who do not have funds to pay these expenses in the first place. (Note: Many states, including Kansas allow adopting parents to pay costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care.)

Why not promote awareness of Medicaid availability and TANF funds (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to pregnant women? Why not use that money to help parents keep their children, helping them with housing, furnishings, and necessities for parenting? As another forum member suggests, "Call it Family Preservation and if they don't follow through in a healthy manner, in other words if they use the monies for criminal activities, then penalize or fine them."

In these highly publicized efforts to prevent unsafe abandonment and lower abortion rates, a greater issue seems to be overlooked.

Adoption is not a one-time event. It is a lifetime experience. Placing a child for adoption (or having a legal abortion) in this day and age should be the result of an informed decision, not entered into because other options are cloaked behind attractive short-term solutions.

So What Does Emily Think?

Emily hasn't decided yet, but she's not packing her bags for Kansas, and she doesn't plan to make an anonymous donation of her child at any hospital or fire station.

She's still making her first decision which isn't about abortion and adoption, but rather about abortion and eight point six months of pregnancy. She doesn't consider adoption her alternative to abortion - although that might be her choice if she decides to continue the pregnancy. If she chooses not to have an abortion, she says she will be looking for all the help she can get with family mediation (to help communicate with her parents), medical care, school help, and... "something to stop the nausea."

And about the proposed tax credit, she likes what yet another forum member (birthmother) has said:

"Tax credit for walking away from a child, now there is an incentive. Why not attach a little more guilt and shame to an already horrifying experience. I can tell myself over the years that I was involved in legal baby selling, now there's something I can live with!! "

Reading Resources

• Kansas House Bill #2747 Full text of the bill.
• Legalized Abandonment A look at news laws and programs legalizing or sanctioning abandonment of babies at hospitals and fire stations in several states.
• Resources for Expectant Parents Sources of information, assistance, and alternatives for those considering adoption, compiled by our Editor.

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