There are quite a few things that I don’t understand in this world such as mathematics, the obsession with peanut butter, eggs sunny-side up. Yet one phenomenon that baffles me the most is the appeal of childbirth. I guess to be more accurate I could say that I don’t understand the allure of experiencing childbirth and all that comes with it. Don’t get me wrong I want kids. The idea of having little “me’s” running is enticing although I think the people closest to me might blanch at the idea of little Harleigh’s terrorizing the world. But I fully plan on evading the whole childbirth process i.e. I’m adopting my kids. As an adopted kid, I really don’t succumb to the allure of pregnancy or the bearing of children for a multitude of reasons, but in the interest of time and space, I’ve narrowed my argument down to three points.
1. OUCH!
I’m not much into self-sacrifice but my aversion to childbirth stems more from genuine confusion than a simple dislike of the idea of giving my body up for a supposed "greater good." This confusion most likely stems from my upbringing. Biologically, my mother and I have very little in common as I was adopted at three months old, yet we share a bond closer than I see between some of my friends and their biological parents. If you ever get the pleasure ( or disservice) of meeting my mother and me together you’ll notice that we have the same disposition, mannerisms, and overall demeanor. It's a relationship that I hope to replicate with my future children--a relationship my mother managed to create without birthing me. Why would I need to give birth (aka go through nine months of pregnancy and labor) when I can adopt my children with the same results?
2. Me Tarzan. You Jane.
Interestingly enough, the mother that I just praised for forming an amazing between her and her adopted child pushes said child the most on believing in the bearing of children. Weird, I know. She has a plethora of reasons but the strangest is purely scientific and rather primitive: passing along genes. To that I say, it’s not 10 B.C. The idea of having the opportunity to pass on my genes to my biological offspring isn’t enough to convince me to experience pregnancy and birth. @MamaBean, sorry.
3. 415,000
Not all my reasons revolve around my comfort and squeamishness.There are more than enough children in the U.S. who are in search of and in need of a good home -- 415,000 actually according to Children’s Rights. While quite a few of my reasons supporting my personal decision to not birth children revolve around my perceptions of pregnancy and childbirth, I also have a genuine desire to give other children an opportunity at a better life like I received. Granted, I only lived three months before my opportunity walked through the door but thousands other children aren’t so lucky.
