PUBLIC AWARENESS
June 9th 2008 04:28
PUBLIC AWARENESS
I was recently alarmed by the current media coverage on the abandonment of newborn babies and felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring it too everyones attention.
For those who havent heard of the recent tragic abandonments, there have been several Australian mothers abandoning their newborn babies outside hospitals, churches and so on. Just this afternoon there was news of a newborn baby boy who died before he was found in a recycling bin. Even after desperate attempts by authorities and the public to find the mothers of these babies, none have come forward.
Of course its easy for us to blame the mother, but honestly what would she be going through to resort to such a serious decision? Was it entirely her fault?
I would like to share my thoughts for people to consider before making judgment, on the possible causes leading up to these sad and tragic abandonments, from what I can only imagine would be an act of utter overwhelming desperation.
Id like to start by saying, I believe our harshest critics in this day and age play a big part; they are the people from the older generations. These people who have been our very biggest influences growing up, are the ones who have the most to say when it comes to our biggest life choices, such as becoming a parent. The world they knew has changed so much, but their expectations havent, this can have a very big affect on a young woman, especially going through pregnancy when the sense of not being good enough has already practically tripled due to the constant hormonal changes. Not to have a go at them but do they really understand how hard it is to bring up a child in the 20th century? If we go back in time and look at life in the 19th century (which is around the time our parents and grandparents were brought up) we see that marriage was the way, women were expected to keep inside the house and men were only expected to work a certain amount of hours, shops were closed at noon and closed for the weekends. There definitely was a lot more time to spend at home with the family.
In comparison, if we look at today women and men are expected to work full time in a high up job otherwise they are looked down upon, there is little time for family, divorce has become just another part of growing up therefore children and teenagers are loosing contact and support from their families, drugs are becoming an epidemic and the reality is everywhere you go, and everyway you look there is society breakdown. Surely, life has gotten a lot harder in the past century.
As we can see its easy for the older generations to criticize the way we live our lives but do they really understand how much times have changed and the extra pressures of todays society?
I hear a lot about postnatal depression, but is this an act of postnatal depression or prenatal depression? These innocent babies are being left at only hours old, was this, a compulsive act? Or was it pre meditated?
I strongly believe we can prevent re-occurrences of such tragedy in the future by recognizing the warning signs of prenatal depression, and increasing the awareness of family, friends and the community.
I was recently alarmed by the current media coverage on the abandonment of newborn babies and felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring it too everyones attention.
For those who havent heard of the recent tragic abandonments, there have been several Australian mothers abandoning their newborn babies outside hospitals, churches and so on. Just this afternoon there was news of a newborn baby boy who died before he was found in a recycling bin. Even after desperate attempts by authorities and the public to find the mothers of these babies, none have come forward.
Of course its easy for us to blame the mother, but honestly what would she be going through to resort to such a serious decision? Was it entirely her fault?
I would like to share my thoughts for people to consider before making judgment, on the possible causes leading up to these sad and tragic abandonments, from what I can only imagine would be an act of utter overwhelming desperation.
Id like to start by saying, I believe our harshest critics in this day and age play a big part; they are the people from the older generations. These people who have been our very biggest influences growing up, are the ones who have the most to say when it comes to our biggest life choices, such as becoming a parent. The world they knew has changed so much, but their expectations havent, this can have a very big affect on a young woman, especially going through pregnancy when the sense of not being good enough has already practically tripled due to the constant hormonal changes. Not to have a go at them but do they really understand how hard it is to bring up a child in the 20th century? If we go back in time and look at life in the 19th century (which is around the time our parents and grandparents were brought up) we see that marriage was the way, women were expected to keep inside the house and men were only expected to work a certain amount of hours, shops were closed at noon and closed for the weekends. There definitely was a lot more time to spend at home with the family.
In comparison, if we look at today women and men are expected to work full time in a high up job otherwise they are looked down upon, there is little time for family, divorce has become just another part of growing up therefore children and teenagers are loosing contact and support from their families, drugs are becoming an epidemic and the reality is everywhere you go, and everyway you look there is society breakdown. Surely, life has gotten a lot harder in the past century.
As we can see its easy for the older generations to criticize the way we live our lives but do they really understand how much times have changed and the extra pressures of todays society?
I hear a lot about postnatal depression, but is this an act of postnatal depression or prenatal depression? These innocent babies are being left at only hours old, was this, a compulsive act? Or was it pre meditated?
I strongly believe we can prevent re-occurrences of such tragedy in the future by recognizing the warning signs of prenatal depression, and increasing the awareness of family, friends and the community.
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I still appreciate every minute of it though! I think its my fault too, Im usually very territorial...--Lana Marie 
Comment by Lana Marie
on Addiction - Poem
Youth Parenting
Thanks for the lovely comment. I was a bit hesitant to post that one. The baby has already turned my life completely around! But it definitely has been for the better. Its still a little hard to adjust to sometimes, but I am grateful. Thanks Again Lana Marie