My mind has been on little Sky Metalwala the last couple of days. This adorable little two year old went missing a couple of days ago when is mother... get this... left him in the car for an hour while she took her four year old daughter to "get gas"!! There are so many things wrong with this scenario I wouldn't even know where to begin.
I try not to be a judgmental person. I know that there are so many circumstances surrounding each of us, that make us who we are, that it is impossible to understand why people do some of the things that they do - I get that. I try to give people a large birth of understanding and really let a lot of things slide in personalities and actions.... but when an innocent child is victimized by those actions it gets my dander up.
I really struggle whenever I hear stories of this nature: children being abused, neglected and taken advantage of. They are so innocent and dependent on their parents to take care of them, that when those needs are not met it breaks my heart.
Being a parent is a serious commitment. If you are not ready to make that commitment take a minute to put on a freakin' condom! One should never use their status of age, size or intellect as a domineering tool against another: ever.
I am just reminded once again how important the roll of parent is. It is a privilege, not a right, and one that should be taken very seriously. It can bring such immense joy into your life, and I would never change the opportunity that I have had to raise two amazing children. Those small lives that you have brought into this world are depending on you and need you. If you can't hack it, there are plenty of people in this world that can't have their own that would love the opportunity.
I'm gonna go tell my kids I love them now.
I agree with your opinion that parenting is a privilege not a right. However the fact is that it is in reality a consequence to a choice made. It is unfortunate that not all people making that choice can find privilege in that consequence. My heart goes out to this little boy. I hadn't heard this story. I hope that he is found soon and safe.
ReplyDeleteAmy and Kathy, I understand your sentiment, but disagree with your conclusion. Parenting is a right.
ReplyDeleteIf the government told you that you were no longer allowed to have children, would you change your argument, and call it a "right"?
I bet you would.
Here is the bugaboo with rights: they must automatically extend to everyone. Unfortunately that sometimes includes those unequipped to exercise them responsibly.
People that harm children should have their right to raise them revoked, but how do we recognize those people? According the news story, these parents had already shown themselves to be unfit before this incident, and the state failed to foresee where it would lead.
I feel sick about what happened to this innocent child, but let's not lose sight of the forest for the tree.
The phrase "the price of liberty is blood" doesn't just refer soldiers.
Well, thanks for calling me out in front of the whole squadron Aaron.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I miss spoke. Parenting is a right as well as a privilege. There are countries out there that have restrictions on this right and that is just as frustrating to me as the right being abused by low life individuals.
I guess the real thing I am trying to say here is, it is really important to remember how essential the right to parent is and just because you have a right to something doesn't mean you need to have it.
Yes, Amy, it is a consequence to a decision - for some good, others bad - but there are a lot more options out there than neglect, abuse and bullying.
I just get really passionate when I see an innocent child become the victim of some looser that is expressing their "right" to be a parent and it happens more often than it should.
There really isn't anything that we can do about it most of the time, but at the moment just expressing my feelings helps. If you make the decision to have a child and keep it, then act accordingly.
Sorry....I couldn't help it. I understand what you meant....just felt like arguing.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kathy. If you choose to keep your child you should act accordingly. I also agree that, for myself, raising children is a privilege and one that I choose not to take lightly. Also, as much as I hate to agree with Aaron;), I do. It is unfortunate that by the time we realize that people are violating their right by harming their children the damage has already been done and in many cases it is to late to undo that damage.
ReplyDeleteKathy there is nothing wrong with being passionate about a topic. I appreciate your unedited and uncensored opinion.