A few days ago, news channels broadcasted the verdict on how a young couple were banned from aborting a 25-week old fetus. They aired discussions between a large divide - from doctors, to priests, to law-makers. Apparently, the court thinks the couple and their gynecologist were unable to prove that the child would face a substantial health risk. Honestly, I'm speechless.
During the same time, I came across this news article. A perfectly healthy child, almost pushed into substantial health risks, by another couple, elsewhere. Now I'm flabbergast!
If you're thinking - different country, different rules, different people - hold that thought right there. Just this one time, overlook boundaries, rules, systems; and maybe ask yourself - is any of this making sense?! If yes, help me understand. If no, where are we going wrong?!
During the same time, I came across this news article. A perfectly healthy child, almost pushed into substantial health risks, by another couple, elsewhere. Now I'm flabbergast!
If you're thinking - different country, different rules, different people - hold that thought right there. Just this one time, overlook boundaries, rules, systems; and maybe ask yourself - is any of this making sense?! If yes, help me understand. If no, where are we going wrong?!
12 comments:
U know what the irony is? The couple could have got it aborted from some other private hospital which would have done it for some money...there r many shady clinics in India. But now that they have approached the court and are under media glare, no one would handle their medical case.
That's probably the reason why people prefer going through this quietly, rather than take a legal way. Shame!
Actually, I think that the verdict provided the couple with an alternate point of view on raising the child. The court did say that who was to say this kid might actually overcome all odds and become someone that his/her parents will be proud of. Maybe, just maybe, the couple hadn't thought of this. If they did, they must have somehow ignored the thought. Why I say this is after the court verdict, the mother said that now that all the court drama is over, she cannot wait to give birth to the baby and that (and only that) is what they are really looking forward to now.
My two rupees on the issue.
I was going to write about this. But couldn't somehow. So thanks for writing about this. At least I got to write about it here.
Anyway this comment is keeping in view that I haven't read the second link you have posted. Maybe you can expect another comment on that.
I heard about the case in India and I read the link in the blog.
And hence I have concluded....
Human society is a complex society.
Human's themselves are complex beings. (A different topic altogether)
The laws within a country are driven based on how the society has evolved, over the ages.
One cannot categorize what's right & what's wrong in these situations.
You know, I've lived in countries where abortions are illegal, no matter what.
Imagine the plight of abandoned children in such situations!
In some places it's driven by religion.
With the progress of medical science, the process of evolution/natural selection has stopped in the humans, which apparently is againt the laws of nature.
(I am not against medical sciences, these guys have really done well)
I sometimes feel, it should be left to the couples to decide!
Probably, a different intelligent race, on a different planet, has a common but "flexible" law for the entire planet.
@ deepti - I agree the court took a different stand - and a very optimistic one at that! Yet, giving up a child is a HUGE decision. Especially if you've nurtured it for 25-weeks. That's well over 6 months! No matter what the courts make of it, she's the one carrying that fetus inside of her, feeling the fetus. She's definitely hoped for the best! I mean, I'm sure they've gone through these discussions amongst themselves. They'll be the ones providing this little one all the support it needs! If they've lost those hopes and have made up their minds to move-on, it's not for anyone else, but her (them in this case) to make that decision.
Again, that's just my opinion.
@ spiff - "...Probably, a different intelligent race, on a different planet, has a common but "flexible" law for the entire planet..." - I'd vote for that :)!
And yes, human society is indeed complex - we've made it so :)...
Law is as helpless as any other 3rd person in a consensual relationship (marriage) when partners opt for this way out.. our law is not yet equipped to take responsibility of a new life and cannot for nuts force such responsibility onto the parents.. we can debate all day, but what value does our society have for a new life in a billion plus populated country.
@Pranjal: I agree, it is hard for the parents to move on, but now they are more prepared. Easier for us to say that I know.
@Vic: "...but what value does our society have for a new life in a billion plus populated country..." Very true. And that is completely different story altogether. Don't get me started.
@ vic - Agree!
@ deepti - Yup, easy for us to say :)...
Wierd are the ways of the world ! somewhere a parent does not want a child fearing ailments, somewhere a parent has forced upon a child all ailments which it so deserverd to stay miles away from !!!!
This was my take on the issue writtten couple of weeks back
http://santozz.blogspot.com/2008/08/who-has-right-answers.html
Also, Have you read the book.. My sisters Keeper, Read that to see one another perspective of child birth !
Cheers
Santosh
I've seen My Sister's Keeper on shelves at Crossword. Next time around, will pick it up.
And I made this post after reading your post :)! So thanks :)!
Didnt feel like reading the second article completely . It left a bad taste .. i could'nt continue..
As far as the Mehtas are concerned, hope the child is born healthy..
Yeah I know what you mean :(. I had my hands covering my mouth the entire time I was reading that article...
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