Octuplets: Mother of All Issues
America’s latest responsibility riddle is defined by simple math and compounded by complex issues:
1 single mother
8 newborn octuplets
14 total offspring
15 minutes of fame
From miracle mom to mother of all outrage, Nadya Suleman’s spectacular fall from public grace continues in an avalanche of revelations: disability, inability, food stamps, no job, no spouse, and no viable plan for raising 14 children under the age of eight.
The responsibility dragnet snared her fertility specialist—at a clinic now under government scrutiny—and settled squarely on Ms. Suleman, who declared in a TV interview that she is a responsible parent, even though California taxpayers have been asked to pay the million dollar-plus hospital bill for her eight preemies.
“I personally do not believe I’m irresponsible,” Ms. Suleman said. “Everything I do revolves around my children.” Saying she was a single parent by choice, she questioned a perceived double standard between her unconventional lifestyle and that of couples who experience multiple births. “Why are they exempt from being called irresponsible?” she asked.
Selfish. Unstable. Irresponsible. The opinions continue to pour in by the thousands on talk shows and blogs, in headlines and on the street: Put her in therapy. Change the laws. Take her kids away. In a season of Wall Street bailouts, a Sesame Street bailout for the 14 kids of America’s mega-mom has not only angered many people, but, as one journalist put it, “exposes how publicly divided and personally judgmental we are” about the reproductive decisions of others and the question of how many children is too many.
“The ‘right’ number seems to lie somewhere between China and Nadya Suleman,” wrote another journalist. “But on what do we base that belief? The ability to pay for the children? The limits on the attention they will receive? How many is too many, and who gets to decide?”
Tell us what you think: Is there such a thing as too many children? Other families receive welfare, food stamps, and disability payments for their children; should Nadya Suleman be held to a different standard? Should Ms. Suleman’s reproduction—usually a private matter of personal responsibility—be the subject of such public debate?
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Admitting the problem is the first step toward cha
If she continues to be in denial about her weird and unnatural behavior then she will continue to be a sick and disturbed person. The scary part is she will pass on her craziness to her children, who will be apart of our societies future generation.
Scary!
Zusie Q | 7 months, 1 week ago
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To many kids
I beleive there is a responsible number individual to everyone. If you take the Duggers, they live and maintain their household on their own and are not expecting anyone else to assist in the raising of their children, Octo Mom had 14 kids independently and now expects every hand in America to be open to her. There is a difference in parenting styles and expections.
Staci HIngst | 7 months ago
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too many children
the facts stated say it all…. 1 single mother, 8 newborns, 14 total offsprings, 15 mins. of fame, and may i add one……not too smart!
rita mobley | 7 months ago
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live and let live
To those people who are so opinionated, What about mothers who recieve no help from able bodied men, or fathers who walk out on their families? Some men leave some women with no choice but to to recieve public assistance. Some women have marketable skills. What about women who leave men with multiple children to raise.
ilene bonner | 7 months ago
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Time to forgive
My heart aches when I see pictures of all those beautiful children living in such a small home with only one parent to raise them. It is hard enough to be a single mother with one or two children. Not to mention that even if they get there physical needs met. They will most certianly not get their emotional needs met and the nurturing that they will need from a mother. I know that If I spend a day without giving my two girls the attention that they deserve. They start acting out in negetive ways to get my attention. So you know that not just the ones with disablities will need professional help but the others as well will need pyschilogical help. BUT! It is what it is. I wish we could change it for the better, but we can’t. We do live in a free country and with that sometimes it can be a against us. I personally am greatful in some ways that we have these programs to help assist these children that are in need. What kind of americans would we be if we just sat back and let the children suffer, I sure would not say that I was proud to be an american. Yes, it sucks that we have to pay for her mistake or bad desisions. But what about when you make bad desision or a bad jugement and it effects the people around you. Everyone does. So, what if you needed some assistance from my taxes for some reason. Should I denie you the right! It’s time to get off our high horse and think about what these children need now. We should not suffer innocent children their right to live as much as a normal life they deserve. We as americans do owe the children. So I say let go of your anger towards HER and do whats right for those beautiful babies.
Cassandra | 7 months ago
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Euthanize a few of them.
I believe it would be morally correct to have the state have about 5 of the children euthanized. That would prevent horrible futures for these kids and also the state would not be responsible.
Mildred Carpenter | 7 months ago
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More Genuine than Jon & Kate
Yes, it is 100% her responsibility to provide for her children. However, I believe that any faults she may have are at least genuine compared to the money / fame grubbing morons Jon & Kate. I think Nadia’s heart is in the right place and I hope she is able to provide a living from her reality show. I cannot believe her incredible patience for all those children screaming at once and a Mother who has to rate up there with one of the most annoying on the planet. I think she should get a restraining order against her parents and move on with her show and good nannies to help. Why not when stupid and stupider are already making $75,000 an episode, yet viewers seem to watch them?
Greg Weatherly | 7 months ago
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Poor babies
The ones who will pay for all of this are the children, They will never recieve the chance,s they deserved.
Sincerley Pamela DeCarlis
Pamela DeCarlis | 7 months ago
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Mrs.
I do not think the doctor used better judgement, implanting 8 embrios. I think 4 would have been more than enough. However, here out it is up and over. We need to deal with the problem. (At the same time, I pray she tied her tubes.) As long as she is loving, kind, and a good mother, I say, God bless them all! If she neglets or abuses any of them, I do think CPS should take over for the protection of the children.
Sandra Piercy | 7 months ago
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Mom for 46 years, Grandma 44 years, and Great Gran
I would put a note on the Church’s Bulletin Board asking if any teens, young mothers, or Grandma’s, would like to “Play house, cuddle, feed, change diapers, play with or bath any of the children”
A person such as myself would love to do something like that! What have you to lose?
Sandra Piercy | 7 months ago
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