law banning parents from finding out baby's sex?...discuss

MiniSteph · September 2011

Found this earlier, Europe is thinking about banning the right for parents to find out the sex of their baby before being born.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/law-would-ban-parents-from-learning-the-babys-sex-before-birth-2563737/

Sorry it's not clicky....

So, what do you think?

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/law-would-ban-parents-from-learning-the-babys-sex-before-birth-2563737/

MiniSteph · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/law-would-ban-parents-from-learning-the-babys-sex-before-birth-2563737/

Thanks!

Also, I can see why they would do that. Especially if they do have a problem of people aborting just because they were not going to have the gender they wanted.

amandasw · September 2011

it's a 'silly' law, but I would also be incredibly angry at people who would chose to abort because the sex of the baby isn't what they wanted

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

amandasw:
it's a 'silly' law, but I would also be incredibly angry at people who would chose to abort because the sex of the baby isn't what they wanted

This. I wasn't aware that there was a big enough problem in Europe of people aborting their babies. They already have a pretty low birth rate, can they afford to be choosy right now?

My SIL was pg while living in S. Korea and the docs wouldn't tell her what she was having bc they were afraid that she would abort the baby if it wasn't a boy.

amandasw · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
it's a 'silly' law, but I would also be incredibly angry at people who would chose to abort because the sex of the baby isn't what they wanted
This. I wasn't aware that there was a big enough problem in Europe of people aborting their babies. They already have a pretty low birth rate, can they afford to be choosy right now?

LOL but totally true, I know in Germany it's a big problem

uwhuskygirl:

My SIL was pg while living in S. Korea and the docs wouldn't tell her what she was having bc they were afraid that she would abort the baby if it wasn't a boy.

now that you mention it, I could totally see that happening in certain Asian communities - I think there was even a Lisa Ling report about how there were so many more girls in orphanages and they were even ignored there.

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

amandasw:
LOL but totally true, I know in Germany it's a big problem

I never knew this!

jennuinne · September 2011

This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

mgoss228 · September 2011

I don't think it's the government's right to make not finding out the gender of a baby. I would find it okay if the government left the gender option up to the doctors discretion (like they do with abortion and Plan B with pharmacists).

I majorly judge anyone who would even think of aborting based on gender. I REALLY want a girl, but I'm totally fine if I end up with all boys. In that case, it will be nothing but girl dogs as pets in our household and they will be named my favorite girl names. Stick out tongue

MiniSteph · September 2011

mgoss228:
I don't think it's the government's right to make not finding out the gender of a baby. I would find it okay if the government left the gender option up to the doctors discretion (like they do with abortion and Plan B with pharmacists).
I majorly judge anyone who would even think of aborting based on gender. I REALLY want a girl, but I'm totally fine if I end up with all boys. In that case, it will be nothing but girl dogs as pets in our household and they will be named my favorite girl names.

Yes

amandasw · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
LOL but totally true, I know in Germany it's a big problem
I never knew this!

our German friends have talked about it because right now, their population is 'top heavy' or whatever you call it - they're worried about supporting the aging population with fewer young people to support it. Lots of people opting not to get married or not have kids and then maybe only have one if they do. I don't know anything about aborting etc, I think they just have a decreasing population size, which is the opposite of many countries.

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

mgoss228:
I don't think it's the government's right to make not finding out the gender of a baby. I would find it okay if the government left the gender option up to the doctors discretion (like they do with abortion and Plan B with pharmacists).
I majorly judge anyone who would even think of aborting based on gender. I REALLY want a girl, but I'm totally fine if I end up with all boys. In that case, it will be nothing but girl dogs as pets in our household and they will be named my favorite girl names.

This is deeply ingrained in to some cultures, so a lot of people don't think it's a "problem" to abort or give up a child based on sex.

ImRene · September 2011

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

amandasw:
uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
LOL but totally true, I know in Germany it's a big problem
I never knew this!
our German friends have talked about it because right now, their population is 'top heavy' or whatever you call it - they're worried about supporting the aging population with fewer young people to support it. Lots of people opting not to get married or not have kids and then maybe only have one if they do. I don't know anything about aborting etc, I think they just have a decreasing population size, which is the opposite of many countries.

Ohhh, ok that makes a lot more sense. I thought you mean that in Germany selective sex abortions were common and I was floored by that.

Yeah, Europe and China are having real problems with their aging population. Esp in Europe they're making it easier for immigrants to come and settle there.

When we were in China they were talking about removing the one child policy bc it's getting so bad there.

amandasw · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
LOL but totally true, I know in Germany it's a big problem
I never knew this!
our German friends have talked about it because right now, their population is 'top heavy' or whatever you call it - they're worried about supporting the aging population with fewer young people to support it. Lots of people opting not to get married or not have kids and then maybe only have one if they do. I don't know anything about aborting etc, I think they just have a decreasing population size, which is the opposite of many countries.
Ohhh, ok that makes a lot more sense. I thought you mean that in Germany selective sex abortions were common and I was floored by that.
Yeah, Europe and China are having real problems with their aging population. Esp in Europe they're making it easier for immigrants to come and settle there.
When we were in China they were talking about removing the one child policy bc it's getting so bad there.

yeah - although it's interesting how many people in the rural areas don't really abide by it.

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

ImRene:
jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

Just out of curiosity, how are these people getting abortions in the US? I thought that you didn't find out the sex of the baby till 5 months and you can't do abortions after 3 months here?

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

amandasw:
yeah - although it's interesting how many people in the rural areas don't really abide by it.

If I remember right, in China, you get 2 in the rural areas bc you need more hands to work on the farm.

amandasw · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
amandasw:
yeah - although it's interesting how many people in the rural areas don't really abide by it.
If I remember right, in China, you get 2 in the rural areas bc you need more hands to work on the farm.

I have no idea, but I know many of them had more than 2 - but I mean, how is the gov supposed to keep track of all those people!

mgoss228 · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
mgoss228:
I don't think it's the government's right to make not finding out the gender of a baby. I would find it okay if the government left the gender option up to the doctors discretion (like they do with abortion and Plan B with pharmacists).
I majorly judge anyone who would even think of aborting based on gender. I REALLY want a girl, but I'm totally fine if I end up with all boys. In that case, it will be nothing but girl dogs as pets in our household and they will be named my favorite girl names.
This is deeply ingrained in to some cultures, so a lot of people don't think it's a "problem" to abort or give up a child based on sex.

I double judge those cultures for that. I just don't see how a sane person in the modern age would even contemplate it. I'm not trying to be rude and offend anyone, but aborting based on gender is so mind-numbingly backwards imo.

I'm very much pro-choice, and while a woman has the right (in some countries) to have an abortion for whatever reason, I accept that it's her choice, but I will judge her choice if it's based on something as superficial as gender.

ImRene · September 2011

uwhuskygirl:
ImRene:

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

Just out of curiosity, how are these people getting abortions in the US? I thought that you didn't find out the sex of the baby till 5 months and you can't do abortions after 3 months here?

i'll have to ask my bff... It's been awhile since I've talked to her about it. I just sent her a text, so I'll let ya know...

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

mgoss228:
I double judge those cultures for that. I just don't see how a sane person in the modern age would even contemplate it. I'm not trying to be rude and offend anyone, but aborting based on gender is so mind-numbingly backwards imo.
I'm very much pro-choice, and while a woman has the right (in some countries) to have an abortion for whatever reason, I accept that it's her choice, but I will judge her choice if it's based on something as superficial as gender.

ITA with you on all accounts.

I have 2 cousins that were born here and their parents immigrated to the US over 30 years ago. My aunt and uncle are pretty liberal as well. Growing up, I saw preferential treatment towards the older male cousin, because he was their first born male. The male cousin would always get away with everything where my female cousin would often not be allowed to go out with friends, have to stay home to clean, etc... My mom totally called my aunt and uncle out on it and it's not like that any more, but it was kind of crazy watching it growing up.

Not saying that chores are equal to abortion, but I think the male preference so deeply ingrained, I don't think some people realize they're doing it. Granted you have to be aware to get an abortion, but you get the jist of this.

ImRene · September 2011

ImRene:
uwhuskygirl:
ImRene:

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

Just out of curiosity, how are these people getting abortions in the US? I thought that you didn't find out the sex of the baby till 5 months and you can't do abortions after 3 months here?

i'll have to ask my bff... It's been awhile since I've talked to her about it. I just sent her a text, so I'll let ya know...

She said it depends on the state, what their laws are. In WA, you can abort up to 23 weeks, 6 days. But, she said there are docs out there that will fudge the dates so they are within the time limit.

jennuinne · September 2011

ImRene:

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

That is horrible and shocking!

Maybe sign a form waving abortion if you get to see the gender? Aren't you pretty far along when you can determine gender? It's still early enough to get an abortion? Yikes!

uwhuskygirl · September 2011

ImRene:
She said it depends on the state, what their laws are. In WA, you can abort up to 23 weeks, 6 days. But, she said there are docs out there that will fudge the dates so they are within the time limit.

This is really interesting. For some reason I thought it was a federal law.

amandasw · September 2011

jennuinne:
ImRene:

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

That is horrible and shocking!

Maybe sign a form waving abortion if you get to see the gender? Aren't you pretty far along when you can determine gender? It's still early enough to get an abortion? Yikes!

yeah, this is really sad

ImRene · September 2011

jennuinne:
ImRene:

jennuinne:
This. I can understand it if it's in a country where abortions based on gender are a problem (and legal/possible that far along). But, in the US, it's stupid. I don't think anyone here is aborting babies based on gender, they just want to be able to shop for the nursery and clothes and pick out names.

Sadly, it does happen here, in the US, as well. My bff is a sonographer, and she sees it a lot.

Aren't you pretty far along when you can determine gender? It's still early enough to get an abortion? Yikes!

They typically can see the sex 18-20 weeks. Sometimes sooner, but that's generally when it's done.

kinmir30 · September 2011

How is/would the government even be allowed to pass a law along these lines? It seems like a violation of human rights. If a family doesn't want a girl, then that's their choice right? I definitely don't agree with it, but it's not my decision. It seems odd to say this, but I think I would rather the child not come into this world, then to come into a family that DOES NOT want them and therefore have a life knowing that their parents don't want them and also probably be treated very poorly....my opinion.

KST_ · September 2011

ImRene:
They typically can see the sex 18-20 weeks. Sometimes sooner, but that's generally when it's done.

Can't they figure out the sex a little earlier just based on simply genetic test? I mean, they often do amniocentesis and can't they just look in that for xy cells?

ImRene · September 2011

KST_:
ImRene:

They typically can see the sex 18-20 weeks. Sometimes sooner, but that's generally when it's done.

Can't they figure out the sex a little earlier just based on simply genetic test? I mean, they often do amniocentesis and can't they just look in that for xy cells?

Yeah, I think so... I just know for certain the ultrasound part of it.