2008 Woodie Awards
Dead babies are no laughing matter
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Opinion
Neonaticidal is the fancy term used to describe women who murder their babies. This doesn't include abortion; these children have already been welcomed into the world only to have their short lives sucked away by their mothers, the people they should be able to trust the most.
A 19-year-old mother in Southside Chicago recently drowned her 5-month-old son, according to the Chicago Tribune, because she was sick of being a mother and wanted to party. Sadly enough, this doesn't strike readers as shocking because it occurs so frequently. The accidental homicide of a child is tragic enough, but intentionally killing your infant, who isn't able to defend him or herself, is reprehensible.
One can sympathize with the mother only to a degree. It's true that going to school, especially postsecondary education, is stressful enough as it is. Add to that load a part-time job to put yourself through school and an extra body to care for, and your situation tends to become bleak. However, that situation in no way excuses the murder of the person whom you brought into the world. Eliminating the child is never the answer.
Had that baby lived, he could have achieved great accomplishments. Had he been given a chance at life, he could have grown up to become someone who changed the world; for all we know, he could have become the man to develop the cure for AIDS, cancer or any other terminal disease.
Even if this child had accomplished nothing great or profound in his life, he did nothing to merit the theft of it. This girl may be young; however, even those in grade school can explain that there are no "do-overs" when it comes to death. Murder is painfully permanent.
Just because she felt "partying" was more important than her son's life doesn't mean alternative routes couldn't have been taken. Rather than reacting in such an irrational manner, the mother could have given her baby to human services. A family that appreciated his life could have adopted him, satisfying all parties involved.
Every year, approximately 13 million babies are born to girls 20 years old or younger, and hundreds of girls murder their children. Because these children cannot stand up for themselves, we have to help them fight for their lives.
The next time you hear or tell a "dead baby" joke, think twice before laughing; they are not too distant from neonaticide.
A 19-year-old mother in Southside Chicago recently drowned her 5-month-old son, according to the Chicago Tribune, because she was sick of being a mother and wanted to party. Sadly enough, this doesn't strike readers as shocking because it occurs so frequently. The accidental homicide of a child is tragic enough, but intentionally killing your infant, who isn't able to defend him or herself, is reprehensible.
One can sympathize with the mother only to a degree. It's true that going to school, especially postsecondary education, is stressful enough as it is. Add to that load a part-time job to put yourself through school and an extra body to care for, and your situation tends to become bleak. However, that situation in no way excuses the murder of the person whom you brought into the world. Eliminating the child is never the answer.
Had that baby lived, he could have achieved great accomplishments. Had he been given a chance at life, he could have grown up to become someone who changed the world; for all we know, he could have become the man to develop the cure for AIDS, cancer or any other terminal disease.
Even if this child had accomplished nothing great or profound in his life, he did nothing to merit the theft of it. This girl may be young; however, even those in grade school can explain that there are no "do-overs" when it comes to death. Murder is painfully permanent.
Just because she felt "partying" was more important than her son's life doesn't mean alternative routes couldn't have been taken. Rather than reacting in such an irrational manner, the mother could have given her baby to human services. A family that appreciated his life could have adopted him, satisfying all parties involved.
Every year, approximately 13 million babies are born to girls 20 years old or younger, and hundreds of girls murder their children. Because these children cannot stand up for themselves, we have to help them fight for their lives.
The next time you hear or tell a "dead baby" joke, think twice before laughing; they are not too distant from neonaticide.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
A Difference?
posted 4/25/08 @ 8:48 AM CST
"Had that baby lived, he could have achieved great accomplishments. Had he been given a chance at life, he could have grown up to become someone who changed the world; for all we know, he could have become the man to develop the cure for AIDS, cancer or any other terminal disease. (Continued…)
al
posted 4/27/08 @ 2:20 PM CST
lol women are way to emotional about abortions, i think 40% of the decision should go to the woman to terminate the child, 40% to the father and 20% to the doctor. (Continued…)
Grace
posted 4/28/08 @ 9:13 PM CST
Seriously? Did you just lol? Are you at all human? Do you have a soul? I really hope you don't have a girlfriend, and if you do, I hope she reads this and dumbs your sorry ass. (Continued…)
rdk87
Random
posted 8/31/08 @ 3:18 PM CST
dumbs your sorry ass. :\
spell check ftw
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