Problem Identification

1.2 Problem Identification

Teenage pregnancy is a growing problem in Malaysia. Teenage mothers often drop out of school and end up on welfare, barely able to support their child. Sometimes teenagers who give birth do not live through the ordeal, as their bodies are not ready to handle the stress of childbirth.

Several numbers of infants being found in rivers, dustbins, and even sometimes somewhere that we cannot imagine such as travelling bags, to the extend where parents could actually throw their babies from a high rise buildings for instant death of their child.  These babies are died in the situation that cannot be accepted by most of the people, as the ways of killing these babies are too cruel and cold-blooded. Sadly, the number of baby dumping cases has been increasing days by days and it has reached an alarming state, researches are carried out to determine which group of people is the biggest contributor to these serious cases. The outcome of the researches are pointing towards teenagers, who are under age. The problem of teenage pregnancy out of wedlock is closely linked with abandoned babies cases. There are several reasons on why teenagers commit in the baby dumping cases the most and the consequences of baby dumping cases to society.

EXTREME CELEBRATION OF EVENTS

Occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Birthday Parties, New Year Celebrations, and etc. are the factors that causes baby dumping. These occasions are usually been celebrated in extreme manners and encouraged liberal socializing and free sex, which resulted in the act of baby dumping.  The cultures, which originated from the West, did not suit well in our Eastern culture world, especially in a country where 60 percent of the populations are Muslims..

POVERTY                                                                            

Poverty is also a factor that causes child dumping. Persons in cultures with poor social welfare systems who are not financially capable of taking care of a child are more likely to dump him/her. Political conditions, such as difficulty in adoption proceedings, may also contribute to child dumping, as can the lack of institutions, such as orphanages, to take in children whom their parents cannot support. Societies with strong social structures and liberal adoption laws tend to have lower rates of child dumping.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexual abuse can eventually lead to baby dumping. After using the girls to please their sexual desires, the boys would be in the dark and disappears without leaving a trace. Girls will dump their babies often because they felt betrayed and used by their child’s father. No one would like to be pregnant as a result of sexual abuse and this has caused the baby to be disposed off after or sometimes even before birth.

CYBERWORLD

The cyber world is also one of the catalysts of baby dumping. Everyone has easy access to the Internet especially pornography, cyber dating, and video games. Pirated CDs and DVDs are also ways of influencing the minds of younger generation. As we all know, teenagers are easily influenced by their friends. When friends recommend something interesting, we will first try it out. Then it will develop in an addiction. Eventually, that something will turn into a habit.

LACK OF SEXUAL EDUCATION

Teenagers are not exposed to sexual education as some parents and teachers feel shy and awkward to talk about sex with an underage. It is very important that these teenagers are to be taught about sex at early age to prevent baby dumping cases keep on happening.

In conclusion, baby dumping is morally and physically wrong. Teenagers should keep a distance from crimes. They have to learn to be responsible for what they have done and think maturely on the pros and cons before jumping to a conclusion. They should be able to differentiate what is good what is bad. All in all, parents and schools must play their roles in fighting baby dumping cases by imposing enough sex education for their children and always beware on their children's actions. We should put a stop on baby dumping and start to see these infants as gifts to be treasured. After all, they are your own inheritor.