Chapter 11

chapter 11
(To Be Or Not To Be A Parent)

Summary:

The chapter began with address the idea of becoming a parent and the responsibilities it holds. It opened up with the benefits and costs of being a parent. Benefits such as the love that one may feel for a child, a 'purpose' in life completed, and happiness among all. Costs such as expenses, the time-consumption of ones day, and also the stress of caring for a child 24/7. There are numerous ups and downs concerning the pregnancy of an expectant mother. Besides the pains that occur throughout that 9 month period, a more psychological change occurs within the woman's mind. There is indeed a difference in the relationship the mother-newborn than there is with the father-newborn. Tradition and social stereotypes tell us that the mother being the one carrying the child is more maternal and caring for the child while the father helps with protection and the overall maturation of the child. Postponing parenthood for different reasons such as jobs, careers, maturation, not wanting to give birth, no nannies and finally unestablished seem to play a vital role in this mindset. Age factor plays a role in pregnancy. The book states that women between 22-24 generally have healthier babies contrary to 40 plus women. Even though they have advantages to having children at that age such as being more mature and settled down concerning their life and stability, and also sometimes more educated meaning that can provide for the child more efficiently.
Infertility: the inability to conceive a baby.
In females- it is due to failure to ovulate and blockage of fallopian tubes.
In men- it is due to sluggish sperm and a low sperm count.
Different ways to deal with infertility vary from surrogacy, artificial insemination, fertility drugs, and adoption.
the discussion of abortion concluded the chapter. This entailed abortion in all its controversial aspects such as what it is, reasons for getting it, statistics, is it safe, where one should get it, risks and advice, and even ways to avoid it.

New & Interesting Info:

The infant mortality rate in the US in 2006 was 6.9. We were ranked a staggering 29th in the world; paralleling many developing countries. This is quite surprising seeing that the US is a well developed country and has been for hundreds of years and how our medical system seems to exponentially grow right underneath us. Our infant morality rate being similar to under-developed countries while developed countries such as china have a much lower rate to me does not bode well for us at all.

Question: Seeing as though infertility is becoming a growing issues, do you think the new wave of international and trans-racial adoption in the US has gone to far or does not even matter in this case?