If a child with complete mental damage is born to you , should you be allowed to
By shogunly
@shogunly (1397)
Libya
4 responses
@serenae (161)
• United States
13 Feb 07
Being that this is my child it would be a very tough decision. I don't think I could actually not let my child live. I understand the consequences, but I would do everything in power to make sure my child had the best possible life. I would also make sure that my child was taken care of after I am gone that way they aren't a burden to anyone else. I understand why some people would go ahead and let the child die, but I just can't.
@serenae (161)
• United States
13 Feb 07
As hard as it may be the parents need to think about the child instead of themselves. They need to take a step back and look at the whole picture instead of only what they want to see. Yes this is a human, but they need to ask what kind of life will I be giving them if I say let them live? I have to honestly say if it was my child and they weren't going to have any kind of real life I would say let them go. That would be the hardest decision of my life, but if it was best for my child then I would do it. People may think I am a horrible person, but I wouldn't want my child to suffer or to not have a full life.
@slasheuse (79)
•
12 Feb 07
I don't think we can ever tell what a person - even one in a vegetative state - does or does not appreciate. I think if a child really really is suffering terribly, with no quality of life, and without the mental facilities to make an informed choice about their care, it should be up to the parents to decide what to do. If the child is incapable of any kind of independent existence - e.g. always on feeding tubes, oxygen - and is in pain which outweighs any pleasure they may get from life, then there might be a case for allowing them to die peacefully and painlessly.
It also depends on the parents' resources; a wealthy couple who can afford anything up to round-the-clock care, and also have had/have the opportunity to have other able-bodied children might well cope much better than a teenage victim of rape who has nobody to support her. I think there's a lot of evidence that even children with severe disabilities can get a great deal out of life, and give a great deal as well. I don't think I could ever allow a child of mine to die purely because they had mental disabilities - in fact, I know I couldn't. But if they were actually actively suffering, then I would want them to be out of pain and go to God. At all times, I would try and pray and follow my conscience. I believe that any parent(s) who does this cannot be judged harshly because they are only trying to do what is best for their child.
@zugedanit (1958)
• Philippines
12 Feb 07
What ever happened it's still my child. I will offer all my life to care my child.
