A new side to the abortion issue.
I was reading through a couple new blogs this morning and came across this from Dr. George Grant. I think you should read the whole blog but here's a short excerpt:
A UN agency contract researcher says the prevalence of abortion and infanticide targeting girls has caused a critical global gender imbalance--with a disparity of more than 200 million worldwide. According to his report, delivered to international health officials this past week, the girls are “missing” because of a practice he calls “gendercide.”
I did some searching after reading Dr. Grant's article to find some information about changing birthday celebrations to the day of conception. I once remember hearing that in some culture this was the case, which is why I did the search. All I discovered in my search however, was that some people like to celebrate their day of conception and there are even birthday cards for such occasions. I think it would be a wonderful idea if we all made the decision to switch the meaning of birthday to conception day. Sure it would mess up the definition of the word birthday but if our mindset could change to accept this switch I think it could make a huge difference in this "gendercide".
GL
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8 comments:
Glenn, I just spent yesterday at a local hospital with one of the moms from our mid-week kids' club who is going through a rough time. We spent our time in the OB clinic, which is apparently where women (or girls as the case may be) go to get abortions.
There was one girl there yesterday who was postively giddy about her upcoming abortion. She seemed to think the whole thing was just a big joke. She looked at the 40-weeks of pregnancy growth chart on the wall and was laughing about the baby she was carrying and what size it would be. Then she talked about the party she had been at all night, and was returning to once she was done at the hospital. She was about 15. It was easily one of the saddest things I've ever seen.
I like your idea about celebrating the day of conception. It may make for some awkward conversations with our parents, but when does our life begin? Not when we're born, that's for sure.
We need to stand up about this issue.
that's a sad story, Sue. . definitely a case where its used like 'birth control'.. i don't want to birth a child - how inconvenient to my party lifestyle. . better get rid of it. I don't know what's worse. . for someone like that to keep the baby and make its life horrible or terminate like she did? Definintely two worst case scenarios. We'd all think the best option is to give the child for adoption. . but really selfish people don't think in selfless ways. Do you ever wonder what you as one person can do when it comes to these massive societal problems?
Kathy, I know what you mean about being only one person. You do feel so limited sometimes.
This hospital has people protesting abortion every Friday morning. I don't know if I think that's the way to go either. I'm really not sure what to do. It just made me so sad to think about this child yesterday. It was just a minor inconvenience that can be easily dealt with. How awful.
I do agree that the girl was faced with the two worst options, but sadly, she may have chosen the best route. If she was going to continue drinking and taking drugs, what kind of problems would the baby be born with?
When we were in England the other year with our DYB, we billeted one night at the home of the corps officers in Lincoln. They had adopted two boys, both with fetal alcohol effects. They couldn't call it fetal alcohol syndrome, but the effects were there. These amazing parents were dealing with a lot in bringing up these boys. Fortunately, they seemed to be the right people to do it. They were determined to fight for their boys and give them the best life and the most opportunties they could.
It's a lot to think about.
yes, sadly that girl may very well have chosen the 'best' route.
the whole 'gendercide' issue. . makes me think of China. Its crazy how people think they can upset the natural balance and not develop imbalance??!!!
On a 'conception day' recognition note. . i believe the Japanese tradition is to celebrate the 1st birthday in the baby's third month of life. . I've always been intrigued with this custom. This is how they count the first 12 months of life. . so they are definitely counting life from conception. Apparently the baby is thought to be still very much like a fetus, 'gestating' outside of the womb.
i do also believe that some people should just never have children. . the ones who don't want them, the ones who, like you say, wouldn't adapt to parenthood. definitely so for those who don't know how to love and sacrifice, etc. . Don't you wish that people everywhere could be responsible and do the right thing and be loving, etc. . none of these problems would exist if people would just do the right thing. Problem is everyone's definition of "the right thing" is open to interpretation. Relativism - what's right for me may not be right for you. .
Think of everything we have to go through to get a driver's license in this province, or really anywhere in western society. But anyone can become a parent. You should definitely need a license for that!
Interesting reading. I'm really appreciating your comments.
yeah,its just bizarre isn't it? that operation of vehicles requires knowledge, study, practice, performance testing, and ongoing law enforcement of all operators by provincial and municipal police; yet the prenatal care and life shaping of another human being requires none of those same disciplines???!!!! What is wrong with this picture?? You hit the nail on the head with that example, Sue.
Good to read this discussion. I believe strongly that life definitely begins at conception. Here's a link to a cool story about a child in the womb who proved that life before birth is, indeed, life.
http://www.armybarmy.com/sam-hand.html
Carla
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