The Analysis

Chapter 2: The Analysis

2.1 Baby Dumping and Teenagers

Baby dumping phenomenon is a direct result of our society's failure to acknowledge and address our blinkered viewpoint of sex, and for allowing our personal religious convictions to dictate public health and education policies over proven, pragmatic approaches.

Teenagers always seen to be involved in this situation. Teenage parents give birth in a motel room and leave the child to death in a dumpster and what not. These cases relate to one of the most frightening realities of our culture today: they (infants) are viewed as problems to be thrown away rather than gifts to be treasured.

Baby dumping brings a lot of negative effects to the society. As we know, teenagers are our hopes by which they will be the leaders of tomorrow and they are the one who will lead the world. They will do all the good deeds in order to protect our country and create a tranquil and order environment for the future generation.

2.2 The Effects of Baby Dumping

2.2.1 Effects on individual

Health

Risk of death due to excessive bleeding caused by improper delivery and infection on mother’s womb. Consuming drugs and alcohol to abort the baby could also damage the body system of the parent. The effects of abortion also can cause psychological effects on the mental and emotions to the mother, especially depression.

Education

Those who attempt to be involved in these cases will be expelled from school. They wont be getting proper education to a brighter future.

Moreover, they wont be able to attend classes as not feeling well most of the time.

Mental Pressure

Most parents disgrace their daughter after finding out about having a grandchild out of wedlock. They tend to ask them to leave the family rather than giving them moral supports from the family and society.

2.2.2 Effects on Infants

Lack of immunity as the baby was not breast-fed. They also will face problems growing up, as they don’t have a proper family. They feel unwanted and unloved will cause them to be depressed. These infants will have problems to form strong relationship with others because of confidence lacking.

2.2.3 Effects on Society

The cause of abortions will be mimicked by others. Most cases of baby dumping in the country dispose a newborn baby into the trash. This shows there is replication of their cruel way to get rid of the baby into the trash and leave them to death. The case has become wide and brings negative views from society.

2.3 The Prevention of Baby Dumping

Teenage Pregnancy and Sex Education

Prevention is certainly better than cure and educating youths on the risk of having sex, especially unprotected sex, is essential. The implementation of sex education in our schools is still a controversial issue despite the alarming stats. The subject has even been renamed to a more parent-friendly ‘Reproductive Health Education’ since many parents feel that the term ‘sex education’ implies the teaching and encouraging of sex to their children. 

There are two main schools of thoughts in this issue. On one side, there are those who strongly advocate extensive implementation of sex education in schools, so much so that they want it to be included as a subject in the school syllabus.

Counseling and Dealing with Stigmas

While deterrence is vital in curbing the dumping of babies and teenage pregnancies, helping those who have to deal with ‘doing the right thing’ is also imperative. Adoption and abortion are two options for those facing unwanted pregnancy. Nevertheless, help is also needed for those who choose the other alternative, which is, to actually raise the baby. The reality of doing so is the unavoidable inconvenience one face as a consequence and, in this country, the problem does not end at the National Registration Department (NRD).  

Raising a baby as a young teenager is already tough but dealing with the stigma takes the strain on the parent(s) and the child to a whole new level. Unwed mothers, especially in this culture, are undoubtedly in need of all the moral support they can get. This is where counselling from social agencies do their big part in helping these women deal with discrimination and the NRD that can take a toll on their self-esteem and life.

Mass media

Mass media also is one of the ways to prevent baby from being abandoned. It is the nearest medium and the best way to communicate and educate teenagers. It all about how to protect themselves and give useful knowledge to avoid from involve in anything that can take them to this problem. Besides that, the suitable sex therapists or psychologist could be presenters of a special programme on sex education and set the stage for more personal discussions in homes and schools.

The Government

The government also must involve overcoming this problem from step by step and taking this matter seriously. Baby hatch is indeed good way to help single mother who cannot afford to take care the baby and nowadays ‘Sekolah Harapan’ and Kewaja has already been opened for person who involved in unwanted pregnancy.