CL,
We agree that care for the child is paramount. I agree with your attachment considerations in older children. You didn't state it, but seem to agree that adoption of the older child would be immoral.
I think where we differ is that I put much more weight on the obligations of the parents. To give up the child for adoption because they don't think they can cope is unconscionable. In addition, this sort of acceptance can be used to justify the following:
- family wants a daughter, baby born with penis, can't cope; therefore adoption.
- family of musicians learn that their infant is deaf, can't cope; therefore adoption.
In fact, it doesn't really matter then what the underlying reason is, as long as the parents claim an inability to cope then there is nothing immoral about giving kids up.
In my opinion, as long as parents are capable of caring and providing for their children, they have a moral obligation to do so. As I said earlier, if able parents adopt out their children simply because they can't cope, they should be made to materially provide for that child.
We agree that care for the child is paramount. I agree with your attachment considerations in older children. You didn't state it, but seem to agree that adoption of the older child would be immoral.
I think where we differ is that I put much more weight on the obligations of the parents. To give up the child for adoption because they don't think they can cope is unconscionable. In addition, this sort of acceptance can be used to justify the following:
- family wants a daughter, baby born with penis, can't cope; therefore adoption.
- family of musicians learn that their infant is deaf, can't cope; therefore adoption.
In fact, it doesn't really matter then what the underlying reason is, as long as the parents claim an inability to cope then there is nothing immoral about giving kids up.
In my opinion, as long as parents are capable of caring and providing for their children, they have a moral obligation to do so. As I said earlier, if able parents adopt out their children simply because they can't cope, they should be made to materially provide for that child.
