Child Care

1. Hafner-Eaton and Pierce’s article describes the preference of some to give birth at home. The article explains that the risks of midwife births are not much different than a hospital birth. According to the article the supporters of this approach believe that giving birth is just another normal function of the body. They do not consider it any more of a big deal than say waking up or going to sleep. If there were to be any complication, they believe it is on account of the mother’s unstable emotional state. They believe that giving birth in an unfamiliar place such as a hospital, with an unfamiliar person, a doctor- are far more issues far more problematic and likely to cause problems for the baby. The midwife at home birth fosters a sense of security. Midwives policies is not to “deliver babies” but rather to teach the women “to give birth.” A much more non interventionist policy. In my own opinion, as a woman I would much rather give birth in a hospital. I know a few stories of women who have given birth at home, both they and their children are fine, but I personally would feel more comfortable and safer with the staff of a hospital nearby. If there were any complications I don’t really know how a midwife would handle it.

2. How did the legal ties between parents and children change over time? How did the adoption laws changed? Historically, what was the purpose of formal adoptions?
The legal ties between parents and children have changed significantly over time. The overall authority of the family has decreased in strength, although it is still strong. The state still has the right to take a child away from a family, but this happens reluctantly. There was once a time in which Native American children could be taken from their homes and sent to white families, this time is over. The government now recognizes that the parent’s rights to raise a child are sacred. The shapes of families have mostly changed, but have not been destroyed. Also the level of control that parents have over their children’s lives has also shifted, giving new shape to things. However, they still have a very strong impact on their children’s lives. The adoption laws have changed over time as well. Until 1926 in England no child could be legally adopted. In 1926 Parliament enacted the Adoption Children Act. Other European countries such as France place a great importance on blood related families. In 1851 the first modern adoption law was passed in the United States. Individual states followed suit and eventually the entire country looked to pass adoption laws. The laws were always based on the welfare of the child, but if the child were to become ill with a disease or sickness it was possible to annul the adoption. The issue of inheritance was one that shifted overtime as well. Adoption laws also are generally created to protect the rights of the birth mother and parents. Adoption has most recently evolved in reaction to changes in social norms and demography.