Japan has drop box for unwanted babies

[don954]

Source: AP

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 10, 5:09 PM ET



TOKYO - A Japanese hospital opened the country's only anonymous drop box for unwanted infants Thursday despite government admonitions against abandoning babies.

The baby drop-off, called "Crane's Cradle," was opened by the Catholic-run Jikei Hospital in the southern city of Kumamoto as a way to discourage abortions and the abandonment of infants in unsafe public places. The hospital described it as a parent's last resort.

A small hatch on the side of the hospital allows people to drop off babies in an incubator 24 hours a day, while an alarm will notify hospital staff of the new arrival. The infants will initially be cared for by the hospital and then put up for adoption.

"We started the service but hope it won't be used," head nurse Yukiko Tajiri said. "I hope it is seen as a symbol that we are always here for parents to share their difficulty."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_as/japan_baby_drop_box

[Traveling_Home]

1. So does Colorado

Might just be Denver but I think the whole state. You can drop off a new born at the fire department or police department - no questions asked.

[ChazII]

2. Arizona has the same thing.

Sadly, a child was just found just last week in a dumpster. Even the drop off spots don't always work but they are better than nothing.

[waiting for hope]

3. There is one in Italy too..

I can't remember all the particulars, but one stuck out: a lot of the babies being dropped off are being done so by immigrant mothers, afraid to seek care and other services for fear of deportation or worse, getting beat up by their pimp.

It is better than abandonment by far, but I doubt it is being used to deter abortions:

"Abortion is readily available and widespread in Japan where restriction against the measure is loose and there are no clear religious taboos."


Ah, such an enlightened world we live in.

[karlrschneider]

4. Oklahoma has the same program...believe it or not.

Sure makes sense to me.

[DemSoccerMom]

5. I believe most, if not all, states offer this.

It's certainly better than the alternative of having a child born and then throwing the child in the dumpster. Just think of how much MORE these "baby dropoffs" will be utilized if (read: WHEN) Bush manipulates the judicial process and outlaws all abortions.

[Alcibiades]

9. That won't happen

Not because Bush gives a damn about women, but because they lose abortion as an issue with which to mobilize evangelicals, who were largely apolitical before Roe. They've had six years, control of government at many levels, and yet have not done what we've feared for so long. The only thing I can figure is that they know this is an issue that really could mobilize upper middle class, pro-choice women who nonetheless vote Republican because they think Roe is safe--they would basically have to vote Democratic for the sake of their daughters.

[hunter]

6. It's the law in California.

http://www.babysafe.ca.gov

Babies can be dropped of at any hospital E.R. or full time fire station.

The most difficult part is getting this information to women at risk of abandoning their babies.

The fear, ignorance, and denial associated with baby abandonment is a terrible, terrible thing.

[skyounkin]

7. This is also used,

in the case a infant just cannot be cared for by the parents, wether it is financial reasons or the child has special needs. I don't know what the law considers as a time frame- obvious you can't drop off a four year old and the like.

It is sad, but it is a thankful thing.

[RL3AO]

8. Same in Minnesota

any newborn can be dropped of at the hospital no questions asked.

[emilyg]

10. It's a good thing.

[donsu]

11. in Miami you can drop off the babies at firestations

nt

[CentralEuropeanDude]

12. Welcome to the club, Japan!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_hatch

[TommyO]

13. New Jersey started a similar program

after several babies died after being left in dumpsters and garbage cans.

http://www.njsafehaven.org/

[spinbaby]

14. The drop box has been used

Someone dropped off a three-year-old boy.

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070515p2a00m0na005000c.html

[qwlauren35]

15. If it's "Working", it needs more Promotion.

If this method results in increased US adoption, and there's proof that 90+% of these babies are adopted within 1-3 months, then the word of this should be made known.

Unfortunately, some of those who SHOULD give up their children have somewhat complex reasons for keeping them, from guilt, to pressure on a sex partner, to avenues for government money, to community status.

The thing about abortion that keeps it a preferred choice for some women is that the "entire world" doesn't have to know you were pregnant if you abort soon enough.

I think there is now a certain stigma around giving a child up for adoption.

The only other things I worry about with baby drop-offs are whether it was by choice, and what happens if someone changes their mind. The other sad thing about it is that if the parents are truly untraceable, then family history is permanently lost. Ouch...