Baby
dumping
The hottest headlines
for the past few weeks reported by the media is baby dumping. According to the
statistics from Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID),
65 baby dumping cases were reported within the first 8 months of this year,
compared to a total of 79 cases last year. Note that from 2005 upto August 27,
2010, 472 babies has been found abandoned nationwide, with 258 dead and 214
still alive. Dumping a baby is an act of throwing away the baby at any place
without any care. The seriousness of this case is very well realized by the
general public. Dumping babies has become more serious among teenagers due to
the lack of guidance from parents, lack on religious mindset and an
uncontrollable hectic social life, clubbing, drinking and sexual activity.
The parents of the girl
blames the guy who impregnated her, the girl blames either the guy or her life
condition at that point being unable to raise a child, the police blames the
media, pornography material to be exact. The women’s group (Women’s Aid
Organization) who doesn’t solely blame pornography claiming it’s been on the
net for a long time, easily accessible all over the world. They also claim that
there is no empirical evidence to conclude the claim by the police. So, who is
the real culprit here? Who do we put the blame on? The ruling party, BN and
Datuk Seri Sharizat sure has an answer to this, making a claim that imposing
the death penalty on parents who was found guilty of abandoning their babies.
Lawyer Karpal Singh stated that “hanging people will only address the symptom
and not the causes of the problem”. The death penalty is not the solution to
curb unmarried couples from the disposal of their newborn. Harsh punishment of
this nature would not solve this grave concern of out society.
The effect of baby
dumping is suffered by all, starting from the baby who was dumped. For the
infants that actually survives, it causes contempt, they are being refarded by
society as fully grown adults. Another problem that they face is difficulty to
register for school as they lack of birth certificate, no remarks, no evidence
to mark that they even exist, especially important if they want to claim
citizenship. Next is the mother who dumped the baby at disgusting places,
sometimes in drains if not in the rubbish bins. The mother is not only guilty
of harming a baby but her own life as well. It is illegal to abort babies in
Malaysia unless it’s life threatening. So, if an abortion were to be carried
out, it has to be done illegally. This carries a high risk of death caused by
excessive bleeding in the uterus and infectious womb. By inserting a foreign
object which is not sterilized such as wood, twigs or wooden stick or even
knife for it matters, it could cause the same damage if not worse, as the
unprofessional doctor has done. A women also risk not getting pregnant ever, if
the abortion process is not done correctly as the womb has to be thoroughly
cleaned up, including the bowel and uterus. If one clogs up, there is a risk of
the death. The uterus can rupruse according if the unborn baby is not removed spontaneously
and therefore cause death. This could cause a pain so intense that it’s much
worse than menstural process. Finally, effect on society. Since it
has become a norm that whenever you get impregnated by your boyfriend or some
random guy you’ve slept with, you can just dump it whereever you want. If
others can do, why not you, is the music that plays on your mind. The society
in general shouldn’t be held responsible for this arising phenomenon. It’s
concentrated on individuals who knows that there is a baby growing in someone’s
womb. It’s not difficult to notice taste bud changes in a woman. Certainly not
difficult to notice that a woman is keeping a ball beneath her stomach, as it
has blossomed to the 9th month. So, why not inform the authorities? This issue
could be curb by early intervention, could be from a family member, relative,
friend or just a neighbour.
Let’s all agree, dumping
a baby is morally wrong and it could be an act of desperation, either way you
look at it, it’s deemed to be criminally liable. With that in mind, we could
not simple neglect the desperation of the individual who suddenly found out
that she is pregnant. Unplanned, unexpected and terrified, she could be a
victim of sexual abuse, rape for all you know. This is where society plays
their role, both male and female, upon reaching puberty should be well aware of
their rights, options and what are they obligated to do, besides the taboos.
They must also know how reproductive sex function and how is it relevant to
their social life. In simpler manner, we call it sex education which we
definately lack in this country, proven by the statistics recorded. Some
societies teach their children that prevention is always better than cure.
Thus, having condoms dispensed in public places to ensure that unwanted
pregnancies and avoid STD’s. Teenagers, are very delicated and sensitive
individuals, they have to grop up in a pleasant ambience with good social
status and great friends. So, instead of implementing the death penalty to
them, we should be more compassionate by education, guiding or even
rehabilitating them.
|
Found in the sewer |
|
While in the sewer |
Using the 4 stages of
problem solving model – D.A.I.D
1. Define the problem
In this case, the
problem is that irresponsible teenagers who dump their babies. Those who like
to point fingers, point to the mother, father, society in general or porn.
2.
Analysing the problem
(Kepner -Tregoe
Analysis)
How big is the problem?
This issue has been on
the headlines of several newspapers, been on prime time news headlines as well.
It caused a nationwide panic when so many babies are found dumped, look at the
statistics.
What is distinct or
unusual about the problem?
It involves life.
Innocent life. Not just one but many. The morality of our society has dispersed
as the wind blows south.
What events caused this
problem?
Lack of education,
pornographic material, society, peer pressure, lack of guidance from parents,
lack of religious mindset.
Who has been involved?
In what way were they involved? Why were they involved?
The impregnated girls
who dumped their baby, their respective fathers, parents of the girl who was
impregnated, friends who were by their side when this unexpected turn was made,
neighbours who could just “take a look over the fence”, politician who wants to
impose the death penalty, lawyers and oppositions who are against the death
penalty.
Where is the problem
located?
Malaysia.
Does the problem pose a
threat? To people? To the organization? To the community? In what way is it a
threat?
Yes, to society. Are we
going to live in a country where there is no morals? Where dumping babies is a
daily news that wouldn’t even make the headlines, heck even the news for that
matters. It is a threat to the whole nation.
3.
Identify possible solutions
Ø Sex education
Ø Parents to guide
Ø Talian Nur – 15999
Ø Marriage
4.
Decide on the appropriate
alternative
Sex education
Advantage
- Learn about their body
- Prevent non-concensual
sex
- How to ignore peer
pressure from friends
Disadvantage
- Curious to try
- Become a sexual
promiscuous
- Learning about sex
before they are mature enough
- Not adequate/responsible
sex education
Parents to guide
Advantage
- Someone to talk to
- Someone that could do
something about it
Disadvantage
- Shy
- Embarrassed
- Scared
Talian Nur - 15999
Advantage
- Someone to talk to
- Women Aid Organization
that could actually help
Disadvantage
- Shy
- Embarrassed
- Scared
Marriage
Advantage
- Solve the problem faced
- Prevent non-concensual
sex as they are legally allowed
- Learn to be responsible
- Being married
Disadvantage
- Missing their one and
only childhood
- Lack of money
- Lack of education
- Lack of life experience
- Lack of wisdom
- Lack of priorities
- Lack of family support
- Lack of stability
- Lack of life exploration
- Lack on knowledge of
what truly happened
- Lack of what marriage
concept
- Will get frustrated over
simple issues
- Immature to be parents
- Mentally not able to
cope with the fact that they are married with
kids at such a young age
- Embarrassed
- Too much responsibility
Conclusion :
Talian Nur would be the
best choice here as it’s a well known responsible non- profit organization
which is bounded by the law to help those in distress.
sameer kumar
1091105992