I just finished a phone call to my son about him getting a dog. We had just seen ratings of intelligence by breed; Border Collies came out first.
Philosopher curmudgeon that I am, my mind jumped around to the news about adopting babies from Haiti, the selection of sperm donors and invetreo fertilization and the choice of an incubator Mommie. Throw in some random thoughts about the conviction of the abortion doctor murderer and my erectile dysfunction and I got off daydreaming about what I think is an interesting philosophical/moral issue:
It has always been politically correct to discuss whether if you want a dog, you should get a mixed breed from the pound-take your chances on the genetic personality, behavioral, size and shape and other latent possibilities within that adorable little pup and just expectantly wait to see what you get.
Or, if you don't like the uncertainty of adopting a “rescue” animal, and if you have the money, you can begin to do research on different breed's and their characteristics and the breeders and their track records and prices.
Now how about adopting a kid? Although it's not politically correct to discuss these issues, technological advances have presented us with some new and difficult choices.
When I was a child in the 1930’s-1950’s tradition was to adopt an illegitimate from a friend or relative often faced with a pregnant teen-aged child. Birth control was unreliable and it was hard for a teenager to privately acquire condoms. Religious doctrines frowned on birth control.
But copulation was great fun and one of the least expensive and most available forms of adolescent entertainment. "Going Steady" was one of our favorite pass times. "It meant "getting it steady" Today the game has been renamed getting "Hooked-Up", " It's Dangerous and Exciting! Like Drag Racing. But....Coathangers or banishment to Auntie’s house to have it were about the only choices if she “got caught”.
AND NOW? Always and correctly, Selling of babies is a high crime and misdemeanor. Consequently, legally adopting in America is a long and difficult process adopting across racial lines-and even more difficult. So, follow the trend. We are shopping for overseas merchandise.
OUTCOMES ALMOST ALWAYS POSITIVE: I was raised with an adopted cousin one year my senior. Lived with us for a couple years. She was like a sister to me. Her life worked out fine, it included a despotic stepmother and a loving, devoted father and all the rest of life’s dramas. Almost fine…it was a short life. She had her ups and downs like everyone else, but was very much loved. She is remembered by many for her goodness. Someone I wish I could be more like. (No, I'm not a closet Queen! I mean more good like)
My next most memorable adoption related experience was learning about successful adoptions by some of my lesbian friends of children from overseas; especially China. They seem to have resulted in many happy relationships and happy children. Of course the final result will not be known until the children are grown, become parents themselves, and can tell their stories and become statistics.
The gay community has been leading edge in the adoption movement. I have personal, positive feedback; but all anecdotal. For example, my daughter dated a Greenwich Village teenager being raised lovingly by two Dikes. Mamma left Pappa and took Chris with her to hook up permanently with her female love interest. Nothing unhappy about the kid at the time. Time will tell. But maybe not. If he screws up his life there probably will be lots of possible causes to blame-not just the Lezzies. Another loved cousin did the same with better child rearing results than almost all the heterosexual parents we know. Makes the issues surrounding same sex marriage more complex that just religious dogma would suggest. But I digress...
Here's the rub. An in depth discussion of Adoption as an Option is Politically Incorrect, but will soon be a major issue all of us many will have to deal with. We will want to take moral and ethical positions.
Try this on for emotional stimulation:
Adopting a child is fast becoming fraught with difficult choices and very similar to deciding on whether to adopt a pet.
Infertility a Problem? Then Use a sperm donor? or a surrogate womb? or Adopt? Why is Cloning such a No-No?
-If You Choose to Adopt??
-How important is the DNA?
-Do I want an infant? An adolescent? Or a full grown?
-Will I/we raise HeSheIt ourselves? Home Teach? Or use the school system, day care and babysitters for most of the time, effort and knowledge required to fulfill our legal and moral obligations as parents?
I just heard an interesting TV News discussion about whether the government should give tax breaks to encourage more citizens to have children. The conversation was all about projecting the economic and social impacts; Should we provide stimulus incentives or offer tax deductions? Will our efforts result in Octo-Mom’s working the Nanny state system to its death? Nothing was said about the intriguing philosophical issues.
Don't murder of the messenger! Just give it some thought. The questions are already there. Opinions will need to be formed. You will need to weigh your churchy moral positions against your rational, ethical structures. Most will probably just stick our heads in the sand and hold our ears. A few of us confrontationalists will relish the thoughts and us philosophers will take them out to play.
What Think You?
Talk to Ted at http://aboutpalmcoast.blogspot.com/
You Gay? Move to Palm Coast or Flagler Beach. Ted will Tell you why! Give you the straight scoop! tedleshersr@gmail.com
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