John K said...
Glenn,Very good post! I have heard of this custom before. I studied it in high school. It is a horrific custom that should be stopped. How can this even be considered a custom?I found an article on the internet (cnsnews.com) that stated in 1979 the Chinese government adapted a one-child policy in an attempt to slow down the rapid population growth. Under this policy parents are routinely steralized and fined if they have more than one child. As a result, many parents, aware they will only have one child to care for them in their old age, want that child to be a son. Consequently, those who can afford it have the child screened in the womb, then abort girls. Those who cannot afford it, give birth and abandon the girls or leave them to die.There was another case in which "family planning" officials had killed an unauthorized baby in front of the parents. The parents already had a child and the woman became pregnant again. "Having botched an attempt to induce an abortion "family planning" officials ordered the father to kill the newborn baby". The father tried to hide the baby but he was eventually found. "Family planning" officials drowned the baby in a rice paddy in front of the parents. This policy has been relaxed in some areas allowing the parents to have a second child in return for paying more than a year's wages as a fee.There are several stories such as these that are even disturbing to read. How can anyone with a conscience do this?
June 12, 2008 7:34 PM