A tiny wee baby does not ask to be born but once they are born they have an absolute right to be loved and cared for until such time as they are capable of assuming  the responsibility for their own lives. To fail  to honour this commitment is to most unexplainable and unforgivable. That tiny little being is totally and completely helpless and vulnerable. Only a heartless monster would ever fail to  protect them .. or so we think. But in our world today there are far too many children who do not have the good fortune to have parents who will honour the obligation. To most of us this is incomprehensible but in fairness it must be recognized that not all are suited for parenthood. Perhaps because of a lack in the quality of their own upbringing or because of unforeseen and unavoidable catastrophe which has caused them to lose sight of how blessed they are to have been given a child to love.

 Society condemns the child abuser and predator but how do we deal with the parent who neglects and does not love their own child ? Do we intervene or do we turn away and avoid recognizing, until it is too late, the hell with which that wee child is forced to live each and every day of their young lives? Too often the latter is true. And for that we will answer one day. No child should ever, ever be frightened and alone in the only home they have ever known or fear those who have given them life, but if this does occur then they must be protected.  And not by placing them in an antiseptic, cold, unfeeling institution or poorly vetted foster home. No matter the cost a better system must be found where that child will learn what it is to be loved and cherished. That is their God given birthright.

I am aware that there is a school of thought which abhors abortion and which considers it contrary to religious belief, and I do respect that, but I question the theory that any life is better than no life at all. Would it not be better if that poor hapless child had never been born ? I am not wise enough to know the answer but I do know there are those who should never procreate despite the fact they are biologically equipped to do so even though they have no interest or desire in bringing children into this world. Surely common sense indicates they should not be forced to give birth only to resent and strike out at that tiny wee being who has no recourse but to endure only God and that child know what injury. Emotional injury is as hurtful as physical ... if not more so ... even to the strongest among us. The scars are often deeper and the pain can be everlasting.

To those of us who have children we love, and to those who yearn for a child but are unable to conceive, the tragedy of the unwanted child is difficult for us to comprehend but it is happening every day and going unnoticed by society. Only when tragedy occurs do we actually have to face the reality these children face every day of their young lives. How unfortunate that we are made to recognize and deal with the stark reality of the cruelty of being unwanted and unloved. It isn't  pleasant but we must recognize it even though doing so makes any caring human being feel a degree of sadness and anger. But is it ever enough to make us stop and reassess our position on right to choice ?  Unfortunately and tragically it does not appear to be so.

If we could only ask that child , young as they may be, I do wonder what their choice might be.

For the many childless families who yearn to provide a loving home for a child or children it perhaps seems wrong to suggest that these children should never have been born but if they are right  why then is it that so many of these children are raised in foster homes and grow to adulthood never knowing the warmth of a family of their own. Why is it not possible for them to be adopted? Surely if a child has been taken from an environment filled with violence or abuse against that child all claim to parental rights should be abrogated and the child should be placed for adoption without hesitation. Every day that child spends in the abyss of being a foster child is one more day of uncertainty and loneliness which eats away at their heart and soul. The cure is hardly less cruel than the suffering from which they have been rescued.

 I recognize my words are harsh and in large measure unforgiving but I make no excuses. I cannot find it in my heart to  feel pity for anyone who  would be so uncaring of a precious  youngster who only asks to be loved. It doesn't take much to love a child. It only takes an unselfish heart and  enough human warmth to be willing to open your arms to the most precious gift anyone can ever receive.