cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23814239
Summary
Texas has seen a spike in abandoned newborns since its abortion ban, with some infants found dead in dumpsters or ditches.
Critics link the rise to reduced access to abortion, cuts to prenatal care, underfunded safe haven programs, and fear of deportation among undocumented women.
Texas Republicans have resisted funding awareness campaigns for safe haven laws, instead allocating $165 million to crisis pregnancy centers that prioritize deterring abortion over aiding women.
The lack of support has drawn condemnation, highlighting the broader consequences of restrictive reproductive policies.
Morality argument notwithstanding, you’re far too optimistic about some of the alternatives you listed.
Giving a newborn to family doesn’t work when your family is dead or disowned you for being pregnant in the first place. And leaving a child near a police station and driving away is an excellent way to find yourself at the wrong end of a child abandonment charge.
The only viable option for some people that you listed is an orphanage, and even then, that’s still not a fool-proof guarantee to absolve legal/financial responsibilities as a parent.
Dude I’m not naive. Of course there are challenges and consequences involved in giving up a baby. I didn’t mention them because I thought this went without saying, but: Parents are morally obligated to choose to take on those challenges and consequences rather than throwing the baby in a dumpster.
You risk a child abandonment charge? Wtf are you talking about?? Then risk it. Don’t throw a baby in a dumpster.
There’s just no world where “don’t blame the parents” makes sense here. Regardless of how much misery it might cause the parents to relinquish the baby in a humane way, it’s still on them to do so. I’m running out of ways to say this. You all are wild.