So I heard this on NPR last night while driving home (hopefully I can remember all the info correctly!) Anyway, back in the 1700's or so, the Pope at the time had churches in Italy create what they called foundling wheels. Basically, it was a rotating disc on which a woman would place her baby and send it to the church, anonymously. The pope came up with this idea because he was so disturbed by dead babies which were being brought up in fisherman's nets. This was his solution to women and families abandoning babies. At least one hospital in Italy has now created what some are calling a "baby drop box." It is basically the high-tech version of a foundling wheel, with sensors which send an alert to the neo-natal team whenever a baby is placed in the "drop box" (which is really a crib, of course). Anyway, it works basically the same way. It's all anonymous, and is considered an alternative for women who feel they have no other place to turn. It's supposed to stop women from dumping the baby in the dumperster, ect. What do you all think? On one hand, I feel like it's a great idea. However, there is something inside of me that isn't quite right with it--I can't quite figure it out.
The state I live in passed a law a couple of years ago allowing mothers to anonymously leave infants at hospitals (and I think churches, but don't quote me on that one), without fear of any legal repercussions. I guess they made abandonment equal to legal consent for adoption.
i think its great personally... beter than levanig htem on you rneighbours doorstep in the middle of the winter or in a dumpster osmewhere, yknow? some people are just gonna abandon their babies and id rather they had a figthing chance to live, this helps rpovide that
I'm not positive about this, but a couple of years ago I heard that where I live you can drop off a newborn at hospitals, police stations, and fire houses no questions asked. I think it's a wonderful idea.
I've heard that, also, about hospitals, police-stations, and fire houses. It seems like a really good idea, in a lot of ways - exponentially better than the alternative, at least. I do think, though, that places which pass laws like this also need to make sex education, contraceptives, and abortions at least as accessible. Think how much better it would be if we could *cut down* on the number of ill prepared mothers, instead of just giving them an "easy out".
the police automatically check foundlings, which are reported immediately to authorities. when you include dna testing, this helps a lot. the foundlings are kept for specific period of time, should the birth mother change her mind.
