Tunisian Women 4
"http://www.news.com.au/world-news/tunis-judge-questions-raped-woman-over-indecency-claims/story-fndir2ev-1226486921176"
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Does The Baby Connection Exist?
This is a bit sketchy, but I thought science was the best place, because it's a real question, not a theoretical or moral issue...
I was once in a discussion here on A|N on abortion. Although I was agreeing with the choice of the issue, I mentioned that from what I saw, more women regretted abortion than regretted parenthood. (I wasn't trying to inflame the issue, but the all-or-nothing argument was a little threatening. In what was perhaps my own naive little way, I was still trying to protect the best interests of women.) The response I got was something to the extent of that "mythical" connection that a mother has to a child as she holds it ... does not exist. This was a long time ago, so forgive me if the story is off but it got me thinking.
From all that I've heard, this "baby connection" is sometimes entirely true. (This is based almost purely off of what I hear from parents, more particularly mothers, which is possibly the best and worst source of information on the subject.) Other times, a mother feels nothing, or even resentment-- but that is usually caused by postpartum depression and such issues, or that has been my understanding. Even though it sounds like some magical, bullshit type of phenomenon, from the "evolutionary perspective" (which I am at times, loathe to take), it makes complete sense. Babies are work. You've gotta love them. It's crucial to their survival.
Of course, we live in a time when most babies, theoretically, can be planned out or prevented if unwanted. Therefore, just as theoretically, when a woman is expecting, she's planned it and is excited, and loves the baby before he/she is even conceived. Could this account for the baby connection? Is it completely voluntary, and does it even exist?
Plenty of women, not planning to have a child, have aborted and don't look back. A baby was NOT in their best interest. The sane part of my sex does not feel guilty for using birth control. A baby is not in our interest. However, were I to get pregnant, I don't think I could help myself from naturally adoring my child (although postpartum has been seen in my family). Would this reaction, if real, be something caused by hormonal changes, evolutionary strategies, societal ideas, or would it be completely voluntary? Is it something else entirely, and have I missed the mark and should I go pick up a science textbook before shaming the human race with my offspring? (Well, screw you, sir.)
Is it purely because they're so very cute? Because I don't buy it. There are some pretty ugly babies out there. (And their mothers are apparently delusional, or in denial of this.)
Share your thoughts. I wanna hear 'em. Unless they're awful. In which case, please don't share.
Someday we'll find it... the baby connection. The lovers, the dreamers, and meeeee...
I was once in a discussion here on A|N on abortion. Although I was agreeing with the choice of the issue, I mentioned that from what I saw, more women regretted abortion than regretted parenthood. (I wasn't trying to inflame the issue, but the all-or-nothing argument was a little threatening. In what was perhaps my own naive little way, I was still trying to protect the best interests of women.) The response I got was something to the extent of that "mythical" connection that a mother has to a child as she holds it ... does not exist. This was a long time ago, so forgive me if the story is off but it got me thinking.
From all that I've heard, this "baby connection" is sometimes entirely true. (This is based almost purely off of what I hear from parents, more particularly mothers, which is possibly the best and worst source of information on the subject.) Other times, a mother feels nothing, or even resentment-- but that is usually caused by postpartum depression and such issues, or that has been my understanding. Even though it sounds like some magical, bullshit type of phenomenon, from the "evolutionary perspective" (which I am at times, loathe to take), it makes complete sense. Babies are work. You've gotta love them. It's crucial to their survival.
Of course, we live in a time when most babies, theoretically, can be planned out or prevented if unwanted. Therefore, just as theoretically, when a woman is expecting, she's planned it and is excited, and loves the baby before he/she is even conceived. Could this account for the baby connection? Is it completely voluntary, and does it even exist?
Plenty of women, not planning to have a child, have aborted and don't look back. A baby was NOT in their best interest. The sane part of my sex does not feel guilty for using birth control. A baby is not in our interest. However, were I to get pregnant, I don't think I could help myself from naturally adoring my child (although postpartum has been seen in my family). Would this reaction, if real, be something caused by hormonal changes, evolutionary strategies, societal ideas, or would it be completely voluntary? Is it something else entirely, and have I missed the mark and should I go pick up a science textbook before shaming the human race with my offspring? (Well, screw you, sir.)
Is it purely because they're so very cute? Because I don't buy it. There are some pretty ugly babies out there. (And their mothers are apparently delusional, or in denial of this.)
Share your thoughts. I wanna hear 'em. Unless they're awful. In which case, please don't share.
Someday we'll find it... the baby connection. The lovers, the dreamers, and meeeee...
Tags: BabyLove, babies, baby, calling, connection, doctor, for, love, the
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on -
I find the article very confusing, and I'm not on the same wavelength as any of the people mentioned.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on
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And very individual too how strong woman and also men reacts.
I totally agree! Reactions vary very much between individuals.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Nicole on -
With abortion, though, there is a closure. Had she kept the pregnancy and chosen to give it up for adoption, odds are it would have been worse for her emotionally. >.> And a lot of the guilt does come from the religious doctrines affecting our culture.
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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on -
I liked the article. Maybe it's the same as guys getting weird about periods? The one guy's reaction reminded me of how people respond to hearing that someone you know died; they make assumptions about how you feel. The "people feel trauma after having abortions" cliche is so widespread. And part of the reason people do feel trauma is b/c they are told that they will! I don't get offended if someone means well but they are off-base. More bothersome is people who tell you that they are OK with something but then when that something actually comes up, they aren't so OK with it.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on -
I think it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Permalink Reply by Jezzy on -
WTF is with some men and periods? I don't understand it. "Men don't like hearing about that kind of thing." "Really? Because there's no bloody fluid oozing out of you."
Same with a couple of guys (mostly this is a gay stereotype) and a fear or disgust involving vaginas. Say what?! I'm offended.
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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on
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Well, to be fair, back when I was a virgin and thought I was predominantly lesbian, I was kind of grossed out by penises. I got over it. Most guys I know don't care that much about periods, and wouldn't pass up sex.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle on -
In reference to the article what really struck me was how the friend acted because it was familiar. I've only been pregnant once, it was planned and I have a son. Since I was 27 I've been unable to have any more children and when someone asks when we will have more and I say, we won't, they (men and women) always apologize. It is a weird feeling and I don't know how to respond except - it's not your fault. It may just be an issue (pregnancy and abortion) that many people don't respond to well unless they have been there and since men are unable to be there they get the sense of 'anything I say will be wrong'.
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