SBS Insight
I wanted to title this blog as “Homosexuals and their children”. It would be quite an oxymoron, wouldn’t it?! Also felt it would attract unwanted attention in the cyber space and hence titled it after the TV show. SBS Insight is a talk show where controversial/debatable topics are talked about with a participative and representative audience...representative of the ‘for’ and ‘against’, of the government and of basically you and me.
This particular show with its oxymoronic proposal caught my attention. It talked about homosexuals’ right to adopt children and provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the kid’s growth being a same sex couple. It talked about the issue of human rights. The dignity and respect for individuals.
Coming from a country where the movie Fire caused an uproar and was condemned for portraying the lady protagonists as a couple, this show was a bit of an eye opener! You hear about homosexuals, you know about them, you might have even come across some of them at your workplace. Yet this show had some inputs which I hitherto was unaware of. Frankly, I don’t have any view on this issue. I refrain from making any judgments here as it doesn’t concern me as an individual. I just thought I’ll key in what people had to say in this open discussion on a rather revolutionary topic – which goes against the evolutionary principle that a set of parents constitutes a male and a female. A re-evolutionary concept shall we say?
So what happens is, the same sex couple seeks a donor. A male couple seeks a donor whose baby they can adopt. A female couple can do the same or seek a male donor who donates his sperms to one of the ladies who then bears the child and delivers it.
The issues discussed were plenty. Is this set up ideal for a child to grow up in? Is this in the child’s best interest as the child is not involved in the decision? In case of a medical emergency of a minor, the consent of the father and mother is vital. But in cases of two fathers or two mothers who is given the right to decide? How can this issue be legalized? But first, should it be legalized?
Aren’t we pushing the social tide? Aren’t we changing the norm of life? Isn’t a filial bond essential? Doesn’t having a biological set of parents in a sound marriage help in moulding a good citizen?
A homosexual thinker in the audience said the idea is outrageous. He said “I am gay but I would never do the mistake of adopting a baby. It is not the right thing to do”. A teenage girl who is brought by two mothers said “I don’t feel any different than the other girls of my age. I am proud to be the daughter of two mothers. I do have a special bond with my donor father”. A gay couple present with their infant said “The baby is the best thing to have happened to us. We will support it as any other parent would”.
They argued and raved and ranted while I sat there getting all mixed up and confused. Coming from India where homosexuals are numbered, the topic is a hush hush and where such couples adopting babies is an unheard of or an unimaginable prospect, this show was revealing. Or should I call it educative?
This particular show with its oxymoronic proposal caught my attention. It talked about homosexuals’ right to adopt children and provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the kid’s growth being a same sex couple. It talked about the issue of human rights. The dignity and respect for individuals.
Coming from a country where the movie Fire caused an uproar and was condemned for portraying the lady protagonists as a couple, this show was a bit of an eye opener! You hear about homosexuals, you know about them, you might have even come across some of them at your workplace. Yet this show had some inputs which I hitherto was unaware of. Frankly, I don’t have any view on this issue. I refrain from making any judgments here as it doesn’t concern me as an individual. I just thought I’ll key in what people had to say in this open discussion on a rather revolutionary topic – which goes against the evolutionary principle that a set of parents constitutes a male and a female. A re-evolutionary concept shall we say?
So what happens is, the same sex couple seeks a donor. A male couple seeks a donor whose baby they can adopt. A female couple can do the same or seek a male donor who donates his sperms to one of the ladies who then bears the child and delivers it.
The issues discussed were plenty. Is this set up ideal for a child to grow up in? Is this in the child’s best interest as the child is not involved in the decision? In case of a medical emergency of a minor, the consent of the father and mother is vital. But in cases of two fathers or two mothers who is given the right to decide? How can this issue be legalized? But first, should it be legalized?
Aren’t we pushing the social tide? Aren’t we changing the norm of life? Isn’t a filial bond essential? Doesn’t having a biological set of parents in a sound marriage help in moulding a good citizen?
A homosexual thinker in the audience said the idea is outrageous. He said “I am gay but I would never do the mistake of adopting a baby. It is not the right thing to do”. A teenage girl who is brought by two mothers said “I don’t feel any different than the other girls of my age. I am proud to be the daughter of two mothers. I do have a special bond with my donor father”. A gay couple present with their infant said “The baby is the best thing to have happened to us. We will support it as any other parent would”.
They argued and raved and ranted while I sat there getting all mixed up and confused. Coming from India where homosexuals are numbered, the topic is a hush hush and where such couples adopting babies is an unheard of or an unimaginable prospect, this show was revealing. Or should I call it educative?
posted by Shubha @ 4:15 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I don't know if this is a political issue in there, but here atleast it (gay-marriage, not the adoption)is. and I am sceptical about any political "issue", simply for the fact that it is an issue because of the numbers game, None have a genuine concern about the issue itself.
About the rights of homosexuals to adopt children, how different is it from a single parent wanting to adopt a kid ?
And as far as the child not being involved in decision making, it isn't either involved when two thugs who are "normal" decide to adopt, or forget even adopting, decide to conceive. The onus is on the child in any case.
I've no opinion about the homosexual way of life as such. I feel better to stay away from sensitive issues.
But as regards to their right to adopt children, aren't they the same as an infertile couple or a single parent? Being biologically incapable of giving birth to a child does not necessarily mean someone wouldn't be a good parent.
As to whether the setup would be ideal to the child, don't we have enough child abuse in the so called "normal" parental setup? And again, the child not being involved in the decision(I agree with Shiv) is true in any case of adoption and even conception, for that matter.
Anything unfamiliar is always bound to give rise to opposition and skepticism, until perhaps sometime in the future it is accepted as a norm. Also, just because something is accepted in the society, it need not always be right.
Thought provoking and insightful post, I should say.
Guru>> Most of the opinions in the blog are as expressed by the people in the audience of the show. I refrain from making any judgement as the issue doesn’t interest/excite me enough. Evolution/Reproduction – agree with what you say. But I think reproduction is an inherent part of evolution/development/growth of a species. Hence I used the larger term. Apparently since gay adoption hasn’t been legalised the question of whose name appears on medical consent forms still remains a debate in the legal world here.
Shiv>> Agree with you. It IS a huge political debate here...to legalise gay marriages/adoptions or not? I normally keep away from the political scenario. I notice that if the party in power says ‘No’, the opposition would say ‘Yes’ and back up minorities such as gays only to gain brownies. So it’s all about shifting sides & self interest.
Soum>> Yes, it is an individual’s choice. True, gay parents might be as good as a good parent couple or even better. True, there are unfortunate kids around the globe being born to and brought up by all sorts of parents – criminal/otherwise. Nothing is more important in shaping a kid’s life than the bringing up and the nurturing received in the early years.
Good read, I hope more xime folk blog!
hey.. those r some very though provoking lines..!! :)
monk15ad>> welcome! u from xime too? thats some fancy job u've got...consulting for US federal govt!
canary>> welcome and thanx.
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