What Women Want Australia-Weblog

2007/05/17

Baby Abandoned: John Howard says "How could you abandon a little baby?"

Author: What Women Want (9:57 pm)

This week, a newborn baby was found outside Dandenong Hospital in Victoria. The Daily Telegraph in NSW printed the Headline "How could she?" Beyond Blue Chairman, Jeff Kennett slammed the media headline, saying

"The baby's getting the best care it can at the moment. The mother - we assume the mother - made sure that happened. What my worry is the life and health of this woman - she might be very ill."

Even Prime Minister John Howard stoked the debate, asking: "How could you abandon a little baby?"

As a mother of 6 my heart breaks for mother and child. My blood boils that we have a treasurer who jovially says "Have one for Mum, Dad and the country" with little commitment to strong social support for the most important job of parenting. In these circumstances it is hard to see the Federal Government's 'baby bonus' as little more than vote buying.

Do you believe the role of mothering regarded by our politicians? What programs and policies could make it better?

What do you think of the Prime Minister's comments?

Justine Caines - Founder What Women Want

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/7/2 6:15 Updated: 2007/7/2 6:15
	Rape victim? Johnny: "How could a woman abandon a little baby?" A: I could only abandon a little baby if my circumstances were so dire it would be detrimental to the baby or impossible to keep it. Examples might be if I was a victim of rape or incest; extreme poverty; homelessness; hopelessness and/or mental illness. Could it be columbine_harvester@hotmail.comthe babe was snatched from her? I feel sad as I imagine the mother yearning for her baby. Her sacrifice is enormous. I wish her well. Deborah Lilly

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/8/4 7:08 Updated: 2007/8/4 7:08
	Re: Rape victim? Why is it assumed that it was a woman who dumped the baby? It is more likely to be the father of a closeted teenager who dumped the baby.

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random2g7@yahoo.com	Posted: 2008/3/25 18:35 Updated: 2008/3/25 18:35
Just popping in Joined: 2008/3/25 From: Posts: 1	Re: Rape victim? i don't think babies hould be abaundant,because to me. what i see is if you are not ready to carter for the child.don't give to the child.for i see it also as a sin ..and for those who have made their mind to rape...their time will surelly come

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/6/28 5:45 Updated: 2007/6/28 5:45
	RE: Baby Abandonned This Party Is Sexist!

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/7/3 1:19 Updated: 2007/7/3 1:19
	RE: Baby Abandonned This nation is sexist. All we want to do is to try and counter that bias.

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/6/28 0:06 Updated: 2007/6/28 0:06
	:( This poor woman left a baby she didn't want or couldn't support in a place she knew it would be cared for? What's criminal is that there aren't provisions in place for her to do so already. This is in place in American states, but not Australian ones? I always thought we were better to our women than they were, and it saddens me to realise I'm wrong. -Minna

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/6/28 1:08 Updated: 2007/6/28 1:08
	Re: :(abandoned babe This young mother must have been desparate....and probably is still in need of proper care and support.......... i was one who had my child (non-indigenous) STOLEN from me seom 39 years ago........because I was unmarried... those scars are still with me........and that child never had a choice either...... so what has changed? women are still second-rate citizens according to this government's policies. wake up Australian women........never vote for anyone who expects us to remain hidden...subservient......or silent....... remember having an opinion and a vagine is a dangerous combination.

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/6/28 3:15 Updated: 2007/6/28 3:15
	Re: :(abandoned babe mothering is the most important job any woman can do - anyone can be a mother but not everyone can be a good mother - we must also take responsibility for ourselves and in our choices, but healthy sensible choices need to be supported by a civilised society - my heart goes out to this woman that she felt that was her only alternative ...... she obviously had no family support ...... strong societies that look after their families grow strong individual members and in turn, strong healthy happy young people ....... everyone benefits in the end ..... I would like to see men recognised in this party however for their strong role in our lives - they should not be the enemy - we are different but we are complementary to one another - their strengths may very well be our weaknesses and their weaknesses may be our strengths - make this party a party of united values, strong social systems so we have no more abandoned babies... Leisa

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/7/5 3:40 Updated: 2007/7/5 3:40
	Re: :(abandoned babe Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! ziohtyphgieb

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beaubutterfly@internode.on.net	Posted: 2007/5/20 4:31 Updated: 2007/5/20 4:31
Just popping in Joined: 2007/5/20 From: Posts: 1	Dear me It seems like very much a simpleton comment to me. He isn't thinking about how the mother may be, where she is, why she may have done something like this. John is still thinking inside his little box obviously He's stuck there.

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info@beadsandblessings.com.au	Posted: 2007/6/27 6:01 Updated: 2007/6/27 6:01
Just popping in Joined: 2007/6/27 From: Posts: 2	Re: Dear me Well, what can I say... politicians trying to emphatise from their cosy, wealthy lives! As long as society keeps neglecting the fact that parenting is the most important job someone can do, it will always be viewed as the most unglamorous, low paid and worthless activity to be involved in. Now, imagine all the above combined with mental health issues and lack of income to support a family. Obviously, some people out of despair will abandon their children.

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/6/27 18:24 Updated: 2007/6/27 18:24
	Kennett should hid his head Kennett eroded the family with the workplace agreements and IR Laws taking away any security and safety net for families. Working with beyond blue I have to wonder how much depression he has caused from the extreme working conditions he started.

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Anonymous	Posted: 2007/8/9 3:14 Updated: 2007/8/9 3:14
	Re: Dear me Hi Justine, It appears this thread has been badly spammed. It was probably that Mark guy. Best wishes, Hel