Nadya Suleman, also know as octomom, has captured the public eye in recent months. At first attentions were turned her way due to her status as the world's most current octuplets carrier. More recently however, questions have been raised as to her competency as a parent., and a decent human being.
If you haven't heard of the Octomom-you must live under a rock- Google her : http://tinyrul.com/octomomnews
Nadya is a mother of 14 children. Before she gave birth to her octuplets she and her 6 children (ages 2-7) lived at her parents house. She is now the mother of the longest surviving set of octuplets EVER! That's fantastic right? Not in the eyes of many. Nadya claims she has not had sex in several years. Octomom has had herself artificially inseminated 7 times. That alone is a non-issue. Nadya, however, is on welfare... well, more specifically she receives food stamps, as well as disability for several of her children (she has yet to disclose exactly what disabilities her children have), and at the time she was inseminated with the octuplets she was receiving disability for a back injury (prime time to knock oneself up huh?).
I personally am appalled that this woman has been allowed to receive public assistance, and believe that she is proof of a poorly established, and hard to maintain social welfare system. The fact that she was able to carry octuplets in spite of her supposed back injury, and her continued use of taxpayer money is, to me, absolutely disgusting.
Recently Ms. Suleman was offered free housing and care for herself children (the octuplets were born nine weeks early and are suffering medical problems as a result). She refused the housing because the organization would not allow cameras crews to be at the house, they feared that the babies would be made ill due to their compromised/undeveloped immune systems, and other health issues. As of now, Ms. Suleman has told reporters she hopes to gain a reality television show out of this situation. Hoping to join 'tuplet pimps "Jon and Kate" in an attempt to maintain her jobless lifestyle.
What are your opinions on the welfare system in the US? Not only that, but should her IVF doctor have been allowed to inseminate a woman who cannot care for her children? Should IVF follow a similar application process to adoption, or does that overstep the line for people's rights to become parents? Should people's everyday lives be broadcast on television giving them a chance to live an alter, unrealistic "reality"?
Your thoughs...
I'm just a teen, so I have a lot of years to change my mind, nor have I really followed the story so I have a lot of generalizations, but here's my (brief) opinions on your questions for right now.
Of course her doctor shouldn't have been aloud to do what he (or she?) did! It's lunacy. However, I see it as a natural result of privatized health care, something I could go on about for quite a few hours. (Basically, I think it's evil and the worst idea since cold bologna.) In fact I think the whole situation is a prime example of why the medical and pharmaceutical industries deserve to go down in flames. When did people's health become a money-grabbing scheme, without thought to the implications of prioritizing the highest bidders and handing out scripts – or, hey, why not, even babies – after a ten minute talk? Healing used to be a respected art form, something regarded as beautiful and sacred and highly delicate. I don't think any part of this particular situation qualifies.
As for IVF, call me old-fashioned but I see precious little merit in the whole thing in the first place. (I know, i need to get over it, but I can't help it.) While I truly can appreciate the pain of infertility, seriously, has anyone checked the news recently? I mean there are slews, hordes, armies of kids out there in the world desperate for a home, and we go and spend $10 K a pop to fashion homemade babies with a more-the-merrier mentality. Selfish, irresponsible, immoral.
I'll stop there for now, but with a brief thanks for raising some pretty fantastic questions.
I agree, mostly...
Some medical practice should not be financially prioritized. However, looking at countries that operate solely on a public healthcare system makes me a bit weary of socializing the process. In a country with socialized healthcare preventative medical care can be just as hard to come by as it is for those of us without health insurance here. Generally, unless you are at deaths door, there are extraordinarily long waits. Many people beleive that doctors shouldn't make more than, say a teacher, that profiting from people's sicknesses is wrong. These doctors spend many, many years educating themselves to do things your average joe couldn't do, and people think they should not be rewarded for their efforts. Also I believe that when people have something to gain or loose (profits) that they often achieve a higher standard than those who are given the same regardless of their performance.
The American health care system has its (MAJOR) flaws, but-and this comes from someone who does not have health insurance- I would rather have quality than quantity as far as healthcare is concerned.
What do you think of Octomom's welfare abuse, or is it abuse at all?
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Who told us that we ought to be walking in a straight line keeping the peace? The Bible is full of risk-takers, people who took a look around and said HEY this isn't right!
I don't feel her babies should be denied aid because of this mom's foolish choices. They didn't ask to be born. However, some serious changes need to be made. Personally I think this lady should get an operation so she can't carry any more children, because honestly---6 was a lot. Now she's up to 14. Enough is enough. Some choices should be pretty obvious, but she is clearly unable to see consequences down the road.
Also, girlieforgod, you can use the "Reply" button at the bottom of a comment to directly reply to them. That way, there's no confusion. :)