I agree that we should not blame society for the irresponsible actions of immature people who should not be parents. Society can only do so much. It can provide information and advice about pregnancy and safe sex.
However, it is that individual person's decision to take the information and advice. This woman did not conceive these children by herself, so the partner has to share some of the blame. He could have had a hand in preventing this. Why would his allow her to take care of his children if he knew that she didn't like or want them? He could have intervened on how she was raising them.
If you are going to blame this woman for how she raised her children, blame the partner, too, for not being there.
We are All to Blame
How easy it is to place blame on others. We use our righteous indignation and compassion for maltreated children to fuel our sense of blame, asking, "Who lets this kind of tragedy happen?"
Who indeed? We live in a culture that devalues children and families. Our working mothers do not have affordable, good-quality child care. Our working parents frequently lose their jobs when they take off to care for a sick child. Parental leave after the birth of a baby is rarely available. Access to medical care is sketchy at best.
Pro-life supporters are deeply compassionate about saving new lives. Where is the compassion for children who are already here -- for families who can't afford good nutrition, healthy environments, who follow intergenerational patterns of abuse and neglect? Our culture does not have the luxury to be pro-life for the unborn when we turn away from the needs of the babies and toddlers who are here now, needing our attention.
Our blame should not be placed on Child Protective Services, child-care centers, families living in poverty or mentally ill parents. We are all to blame for not demanding legislation that provides for the well-being of all families. We are the ones who let these tragedies happen.
However, it is that individual person's decision to take the information and advice. This woman did not conceive these children by herself, so the partner has to share some of the blame. He could have had a hand in preventing this. Why would his allow her to take care of his children if he knew that she didn't like or want them? He could have intervened on how she was raising them.
If you are going to blame this woman for how she raised her children, blame the partner, too, for not being there.
We are All to Blame
How easy it is to place blame on others. We use our righteous indignation and compassion for maltreated children to fuel our sense of blame, asking, "Who lets this kind of tragedy happen?"
Who indeed? We live in a culture that devalues children and families. Our working mothers do not have affordable, good-quality child care. Our working parents frequently lose their jobs when they take off to care for a sick child. Parental leave after the birth of a baby is rarely available. Access to medical care is sketchy at best.
Pro-life supporters are deeply compassionate about saving new lives. Where is the compassion for children who are already here -- for families who can't afford good nutrition, healthy environments, who follow intergenerational patterns of abuse and neglect? Our culture does not have the luxury to be pro-life for the unborn when we turn away from the needs of the babies and toddlers who are here now, needing our attention.
Our blame should not be placed on Child Protective Services, child-care centers, families living in poverty or mentally ill parents. We are all to blame for not demanding legislation that provides for the well-being of all families. We are the ones who let these tragedies happen.
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