There are some people who simply should not have children. Why they are blessed with the ability to conceive has no explanation; but there are instances in which legal sterilization on some individuals does not sound inhumane.
In America, a country that is on the cutting-edge of technology, medicine and everything else but family values, there are parents who treat their offspring like animals. Some chain up their children, others put infants in trash cans, and a great number are sexually, mentally and/or physically abusing these little people.
Children are dependent beings; they cannot help but lean on their parental units for guidance. In fact, they are practically begging for influences, love and attention. Instead, a great deal of children in the United States are forced to live in the abusive environments they are ascribed to and have no control over.
Sociological studies prove that during the early years of life nothing is more vital than human contact and affection. Without these a child is unable to learn the crucial elements of human behavior. The interesting thing is that many Americans take for granted the existence of abused children and then appear shocked when the media opens eyes to current abuse issues.
The public needs to defend these children. Many people choose not to interfere when parents are disciplining their children in public. There is, however, an enormous difference between a parent scolding a child, and a parent taking his/her frustrations out on a child. If this occurs, speak up. Tell the parents that, by viewing this, it is making you uncomfortable-this may cause the parents to realize that people are noticing what is taking place and may make them stop. It is not a hard line to cross. If discipline tactics seem harsh, do something for the child. Understand that you are not interfering.
If a child appears lost in a public place, do not feel embarrassed to wait around for a parent to appear. You may be saving that child from being kidnapped or hurt. A worried parent should not be angry with you for watching over their “misplaced” child. If you are friendly, the child may even explain her perspective to you of how her “parent got lost.”
It is understood that there are no immediate solutions to this problem. Everyday people have children they did not plan or want. Rape victims find out bad news. They wait too long to have abortions or to seek out adoption agencies. They give birth to children they do not want to have or love; and it is upsetting to a person who loves children to come to terms with such scenarios.
Because for me, all I ask when I have children is that they are born healthy. I pray that they will have all five senses working properly and that they will have 10 fingers and 10 toes. More people need to realize the value of reproducing. A baby should be held sacred and cherished in the arms of its parents, and not be subject to torture or death.
There are no words of wisdom to parents raising children they do not want; but the outlook that everything happens for a reason — even the most unexpected things — may bring positive results.
These little people are our future. We must treat them appropriately by protecting them. Social Service workers need to be stricter, and our legal system cannot continue placing some of these children back into the hands of their abusers. People simply need to care more; family values in this nation should extend beyond one’s backyard.
Alisha Rosas, a sophomore journalism major, is arts and entertainment editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at rosasa@ulv.edu.
