e-mail
Three young pregnant women whacked the director of a maternity home in the head with a frying pan. Who could make up a story like this one? This story comes to us from the Salt Lake Tribune in Utah.
Some of you may be aware that adoption is big business in Utah for a variety of reasons. I won’t go into those reasons here, but suffice to say that Utah is a very adoption friendly state.
When I first heard about this story, I googled the name of the home involved in this case. I did not have an enthusiastic feeling after seeing their website. In fact, it put the story in context better for me.
Although I spent no time in a maternity home, I know many women who did. Most have little positive to say about the experience. In fact, some homes sounded prison-like and aimed to punish and shame women. Therefore, when I hear someone in 2007 say that we need more maternity homes, I cringe.
Granted the maternity homes of today are vastly different from those prison-like quarters of yesteryear. The pendulum has swung in the opposite direction now. Maternity homes in general are sometimes more spa-like with appropriate pampering. Trips to the mall and luxury housing are abundant at some homes.
This home in Utah is apparently not one of the new wave, pampering types of maternity homes. In fact, it is isolated and intended to keep young women away from “bad influences” way during their pregnancies. One of the directors of the home, Spencer Moody told reporters:
“We’ve had a lot of parents call us and thank us for giving their girls back the way they used to be. We haven’t had one negative experience with a girl.”
“The way they used to be?” – correct me if I am wrong but after having a baby, you are never like you used to be. Becoming a mother changes you forever. Although Mr. Moody says that they have not had one negative experience, I wonder what the young women who have spent time in his home might say.
This article says:
Girls attend school in the area and are taught prenatal care, child birth, adoption and parenting skills.
The director says that he gives girls back the way they used to be. Does that mean without a baby? The girls are taught parenting and adoption. Skeptic that I sometimes am on these matters, I would love to know how many of the young ladies made it home with babies.
I am a mature, non-violent adult who doesn’t advocate violent solutions to problems. However, I’m also a victim of the adoption system, and somehow that frying pan story just made my day…..
A friend of mine just spent some time in a maternity home. They were 100% about isolation. Limited phone access. The father of her baby, who was involved, was basically pushed aside. I feared for her child every day that she was in the home.
I am happy to report that supports in her life have changed and she has left the home. Whew.
Re: the home:
For those who choose adoption, a full range of counseling and adoptive services will be provided.
So, uhm, for those who choose parenting? No counseling? Screw you? GAH.
I first read that article a little scared since I work in a group home (for teens with behavior issues not a maternity home) but when I read about what type of home it was I got sort of happy for the girls. Glad they escaped…then of course I felt guilty I am after all a pacifist.
What I did not say was that the whacking over the head has convinced the directors of the home to close the “home.”
I am a non-violent soul too, and do not condone violence, however, the object of the whacking was not hurt. Maybe there was some karma in play here?
I would love to hear from the young women, but I doubt that we will.
I love this story. So Thelma and Louise!