A hospital in Japan opened the country's first and only drop box for unwanted babies
recently, despite government protest. Billed as a "last resort" for
desperate parents, the hatch opens into an incubated space that trips
an alarm, alerting hospital personnel that there's a baby inside. It's
hoped that the new "Baby Hatch" will help discourage abortions and
babies abandoned in public places. Babies dropped off in the hatch will
be cared for initially by hospital personnel and then made available
for adoption.
I think this a wonderful idea. Why is it that only
Germany and South Africa already have these? Everyone knows that there
can be times, for some parents, when the prospect of caring for a baby
is simply too overwhelming, frightening, or inappropriate. Why cast
judgment on these parents (who undoubtedly carry enough guilt about it
on their own) when the babies can find loving and wonderful homes with
parents who want and will care for them?
