Moral Landscapes

Some of these things, I admit, are good things to do. Others are more of a moral stance that I personally find somewhat repugnant. If you came to my door (or parent teacher meeting, or doctor's meeting, or whatever) and tried to lay out to me that I had to do all these things, I would tell you where to shove it.

I would like to extend the circumcision one to include all cosmetic procedures done to babies and young children, including even less harmful things like piercings. It isn't the parents body to change as they wish, it's the young boy or girls.

I agree with SS. Some of the things in this article resonate with me, but I respect that it won't for a lot of mothers. And...get real. Breastfeeding for several years is not an option for very many mothers, and pretending that it's practically abuse to do otherwise just makes mothers feel like crap for no good reason. As for natural childbirth, it has it's pros, but my daughter was just as happy and healthy after my epidural as I was for a natural childbirth. It's all about personal choice as long as the child is healthy and well adjusted.

I think your question is begging for a new Social Structure. I think "tribal" sounds good.

I can understand where you are coming from writing this article. But I do not think it is realistic. The problem is that you cannot tell people how to raise their children anymore then you can tell them whether they should have them or not. Just because there is a law against rape, does not mean that all of a sudden people do not get raped anymore. The problem with child abuse, and abuse in general is the psychology of humans. It needs to change. You see, it is a great thing that nature decided that the baby needs to grow inside of the mother, but that was ok. in a time where we were only animals and only focused on reproducing and child rearing, now we are people, with a personality, are own wishes, hopes and dreams. And this is where nature is wrong. Not every child that is born is wanted, I think most children are not wanted. Women want to have a life as well, and want to be able to choose. We should start by making sure that people who want children can have them, and the people who don't, that they won't. Now, I do agree that once someone is a parent, they should be the best parent that is humanly possible. Because the baby did not ask to be born in the first place. Nature has not evolved with us. And we are still going way to fast.

This article is typical Darcia and you are wasting your time in a discussion with her. She and her cronies are very black and white thinkers, they are fanatical about their philosophy and refuse to be realistic or see things from other people's point of view. Check out some of her other fear and guilt provoking articles that have seen hundreds of responses from people who disagree. She is somewhat of a troll, writing articles to get people up in arms and to get attention. While I agree some of her ideas can be ideal, they are not always possible or realistic and are out of touch with the modern challenges women face. Instead of helping, she fuels fear and guilt. Don't waste your time reading her articles.

Would the baby be in the classroom with you while you instruct? Would you be breast feeding and holding your baby all day at work rather than providing the baby with a caregiver?

I'm with Darcia. I think women have had to take on the role of both parents in order to get equal recognitions of our capabilities. Now that that is not in question, it is time we became advocates for things that make the world a better place, namely, good support for mothers and their babies at the start, when it is the most crucial. True, our culture does not support those things now, even for those who do want to have children. There are too many old values that need to be challenged. But if we want to survive as a species, never mind make progress in the world, this is the direction we have to go. Will it turn out as the article recommends? Who knows. But we do know that without some changes in these directions, the number of competent humans will continue to decrease and the number of those who need long term care for life will increase. I don't think anyone wants those things. This should not be in contrast to what is good for women to be fulfilled, but the opposite.

Just because you cant or didnt do all these things doesnt mean that anyone is calling anyone a bad parent. You do the best you can with the information provided at the time, but when new information comes out you keep an open mind. I loved and agreed with everything in this article. I dont feel defensive that i didnt have a natural birth, although i wish i had, and i dont feel defensive that I didnt breastfeed until later, although i wish i had. All of this is sound advice, based on science. Why anyone is taking it so personally is beyond me.

Everything mentioned is excellent! By studying basic psychology and looking through just a few ethnographic anthropological accounts, it is clear to see what is normative and necessary for our species to not only survive, but thrive. Great article :)