Newspaper and television news coverage of abandoned babies is once again making the rounds. While such news is not particularly eyebrow-raising, when such incidents are brought to light, they do affect us and we try to put ourselves in the shoes of those concerned.
The predicament of abandoned newborns is not something new. We hear tear-jerking stories from around the globe about babies being left to die, often by a distraught mother, at rubbish dumps or places they will not be detected.
The latest such case, which created quite a stir because it involved a canine, again sheds light on a social dilemma that seems to be going from bad to worse.
About a fortnight ago a prematurely born baby girl was thrown by a roadside dump in Ayutthaya's Tha Rua district. Left in a plastic bag, she faced certain death _ until Pui, a heroic two-year-old dog, came to the rescue. The story made front-page news on numerous dailies and caught the attention of news channels.
For his efforts, the intelligent canine received a special certificate from the Red Cross, while the Miracle of Life organisation also donated funds to the faithful pet's family for his upkeep as well as their three other dogs. It's truly commendable that this family has offered to adopt the baby _ as have five other families. But the authorities are still undecided as they monitor the infant's progress and search for her mother.
Had not our four-legged hero been at the right place at the right time, this would be just another case of an abandoned baby who died. Somehow, I strongly feel there is a destiny, a purpose to the infant's life.
While each case has its own set of circumstances, one wonders how a mother who has carried the baby in her womb for nine months can discard it so heartlessly. If one is to have empathy for such a person, you will probably realise that a string of factors influenced their decision to go ahead with such a callous act. Fear of social disapproval, lack of finances and uncertainty about what the future holds could sway their better judgement.
Playing the blame game doesn't address the dilemma at its root, however. Having studied psychology, I would suggest counselling after the birth of the child to assist the woman to make better judgements about how she plans to look after her baby. As most of these mothers are usually not financially stable, it would be best if the Health Ministry made it mandatory for government hospitals to offer such a service free of charge.
Moreover, the already overcrowded orphanages highlight the need for more such establishments, managed by caring individuals with a genuine heart to serve women with few resources to fall back on after childbirth.
More homes should also be built for unwed mothers where young women can be cared for until they give birth.
This is an issue worth looking into and it's certainly not enough to stick our heads in the sand and hope this unpleasant reality just goes away. As members of a civilised society, prioritising this issue is a must. The media can also play a role by educating our young people about being responsible for their actions, which in many cases have far-reaching effects.
In some countries baby girls are aborted after the ultrasound confirms their sex, while others are killed at birth. After a while, the consequences of such barbaric actions rebound and the disproportionate ratio of males and females is revealed. Whether it's custom or tradition which lies behind this choice, the result is heartbreaking. If young people are made to realise how precious each human life is, then we can hopefully save the lives of innocent babes and give them a chance to live. Countless numbers of childless couples can open their arms to embrace one of these little ones and not get into a mindset that says "We don't know how they will turn out to be" or "At the end of the day, they are not our flesh and blood". People need not worry, as there is no guarantee even with one's own children how they will grow up.
With an increasing number of well-heeled women opting not to get married, adoption is one way to fulfil their motherly urge.
Yvonne Bohwongprasert is a writer for the Life section.