(Spawned from a debate with a friend) Let's say, you're expecting a child with your girlfriend (or boyfriend, doesn't matter). However, within a week or two into the pregnancy, you're informed by the doctor that your child will grow up to have severe mental retardation. When I say that, I don't mean kind of slow in a charming Forrest Gump way, I mean they will never mentally develop past the age of a one year old. They will require constant care by you up until the day you die, and even beyond that by others such as relatives, workers at institutions, etc. Now in this position, what would you choose to do with this child?* Would you have it aborted, or perhaps give it up for adoption if you're against that sort of thing, or just choose to raise the child anyways, believing that your child's (and all) life is sacred? Regarding the abortion, there would be no health risks, and it would be within the first trimester.
*Question of thread placed in bold (also assuming your partner would agree with your decision)
Personally, I would choose to have the child aborted. Perhaps that makes me a total monster, but at my age (teenager), I'm still unsure if I would even want a child, and to be trapped with one for my entire life sounds horrifying. Not only that, but I know for a fact that I would be a horrible father and caregiver to any child like that. The loss of freedom from having a kid is something that I could deal with, because it's a commitment to raise your child, watch it learn and grow and eventually leave, thus ending the commitment. (partially, I understand there are still times where they may need help, but the fact is you're not still cleaning out their diapers) However, if your kid was like this, there would be no happiness or pride at watching them grow and develop, because they don't grow up, just grow older, and I view that more as being enslaved than anything else. Not only that, but they would eventually just become a burden to any relatives, for when me and my girlfriend finally die, they will have to foot the bill (or time and personal energy), to care for the kid, enslaving them as well.
I understand that many will view this question (and myself) with contempt, and will question how this could even be an issue. But, I personally find it to be a good question, for it is something a friend and I debated for quite some time, and neither of us are quite sure what we would actually do if placed in this predicament. So, what would you do? (and please elaborate, don't just vote)
*Question of thread placed in bold (also assuming your partner would agree with your decision)
Personally, I would choose to have the child aborted. Perhaps that makes me a total monster, but at my age (teenager), I'm still unsure if I would even want a child, and to be trapped with one for my entire life sounds horrifying. Not only that, but I know for a fact that I would be a horrible father and caregiver to any child like that. The loss of freedom from having a kid is something that I could deal with, because it's a commitment to raise your child, watch it learn and grow and eventually leave, thus ending the commitment. (partially, I understand there are still times where they may need help, but the fact is you're not still cleaning out their diapers) However, if your kid was like this, there would be no happiness or pride at watching them grow and develop, because they don't grow up, just grow older, and I view that more as being enslaved than anything else. Not only that, but they would eventually just become a burden to any relatives, for when me and my girlfriend finally die, they will have to foot the bill (or time and personal energy), to care for the kid, enslaving them as well.
I understand that many will view this question (and myself) with contempt, and will question how this could even be an issue. But, I personally find it to be a good question, for it is something a friend and I debated for quite some time, and neither of us are quite sure what we would actually do if placed in this predicament. So, what would you do? (and please elaborate, don't just vote)
