Here comes the moralizing mob. Sure, there are some pretty fishy elements to the whole octuplet plus six drama currently dominating the media. I to am outraged that SOMEONE (parents, friends, doctors) didn't intervene at some point in the whole thing (and I mean back when she was intentionally adding to her family steadily, despite being a single divorced mom with reduced circumstances). Where was the whole indignant community, the family then? Actually strike that, where was the community, indignant or otherwise, period who could see a woman who so desperately wanted to construct a family, that she did so despite some cold hard facts. She's hardly the first to try it, but she definitely got more than she bargained for to be sure.
As usual, the mob is a little late, and now they want a head on the proverbial stake. Baby product companies won't touch her, as she is fast becoming a media leper. There are actual mentions of possible boycotts of companies that do. Are you kidding me? It doesn't matter how it happened at this point, except as a cautionary and instructive tale which will motivate some reform and accountability in the fertility system.
What matters now are those CHILDREN. They didn't ask for this, and people on their high horse who want them to suffer for the actions of their mother are just dead wrong. I don't like it either, but she didn't get into this all by herself, and the mob needs to own up to the fact that like it or not, those children are our responsibility as well now. Justice has its place, and needs to come to bear to avoid future issues, but a bigger dose of grace and mercy are in order here I think to little ones who are powerless in this world.
Photo Credit MashGet
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Maria Stuart
Kerry Lauerman
Steven Axelrod
Liz Emrich
Caruso Wegie
Madeleine Powers
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Comments
I'm digusted that her spokesperson claimed that "she wasn't motivated by cash" BULLSHIT! Why else would the mother hire a PR firm?
Anyway, the babes shouldn't suffer because the mom is neglectful.
Instead of trying to make a quick buck off of her pups, the woman (and this WILL sound harsh)should consider giving the preemies up for adoption.
My birth parents did that with me, they KNEW they couldn't care for me and cared enough about me to give me a chance . . with a couple who sincerely wanted me and who could care for me.
Wait, if she did that, there would be no more "story" to SELL.
I hate to speculate, but what does seem to be emerging is a woman who clearly has some "issues," for lack of a better term. Her motivations in having all of these children in her circumstances is highly suspect, so it stands to reason her motivations now are not guided well by what may have inspired her to take this path in the first place. I to was a lonely only child, but I don't want to have an untenably large family to fill that void. Something is compelling this need in her. And the fertility industry/system and a breakdown in the community and family was complicit in aiding her in indulging this need to the possible peril of her children. I to would probably not have chosen to selectively abort, but neither would I have sought/allowed a procedure that would implant or stimulate this possible outcome.
I think in the end the best circumstances for these kids, whether that be adoption, or they stay with their mother with help, needs to come to bear, and we have to ease of off this notion that she should be "punished."
What just angers me is the mob that is assembling to met out this punishment to her and thereby her family. I don't want to see some get fame from questionable choices, but I don't want those children to suffer for her choices more than they already will. She will need help, and turning our backs and pasting the Red Letter on her won't accomplish the justice some crave.
It was the wrong thing to do. So is this witch hunt.
She may be mentally or emotionally disturbed. What is the excuse of those who attack her personally?
Stewie, I agree. What is definitely missing in all the salacious and hearsay reporting is a true investigation of the who, where and how this woman came to have this many embryos. Our indignation should be fueling a hard look at this largely unregulated industry, not carrying this woman through the streets of public opinion to the town square to be stoned. A vast majority are ethical I believe, but the profit motive combined with little oversight is a recipe for what we are now seeing.
Dorinda, I don't know what precisely fuels this vitriol, except for the indignation festering, wanting a target, of a culture in the grips of hard times, and the fact many feel victimized by the bad or perceived selfish choices of others.
Frankly what makes this case all THAT different than Jon & Kate plus 8, whose fertility procedures resulted in the implantation of six viable embryos. Where is our indignation there? But they are married and have been "normalized" by their television show.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments folks!