Cross-Posted from The Proverbial Tundra
Nadya Suleman, the mother of 14 children created through in vitro fertilization spoke to Ann Curry for an interview set to air tomorrow on the TODAY.
Following are selected quotes from the interview and my reaction.
"How did an only child end up with 14 children?" Curry asked Nadya Suleman.
"That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family, and I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked, I believe, growing up," she replied.
So she figured the best way to find "certain connections and attachments with another person" is to have 14 children? Wouldn't fewer children allow her to have closer relationships with each? Wouldn't avoiding practices that can cause children to be born with developmental disabilities allow her children to have closer relationships with her?
She goes on:
"Describe what you felt you lacked within," Curry said.
"Feeling of self and identity," Suleman, 33, replied. "I didn't feel as though, when I was a child, I had much control of my environment. I felt powerless. And that gave me a sense of predictability. Reflecting back on my childhood, I know it wasn't functional. It was pretty dysfunctional, and whose isn't?"
Now I don't know about you, but if she's searching for a feeling of control, wouldn't it be easier with fewer kids? I mean, it's gotta be tough as hell to keep four growing boys in check, let alone 14 children. If she wants control, this is truly a recipe for disaster.
The divorced single mom told Curry she tried to get pregnant for years before finally succeeding.
"I went through about seven years of trying, through artificial insemination, through medication. And all of which was unsuccessful. And then the first IVF procedure from that facility — it was successful. And then I just kept going in."
So she has a disease, an addiction to having babies. She's no different than an alcoholic or gambling addict in this regard besides the fact that she now has 14 lives to ruin and countless tax dollars to pilfer to maintain her buzz.
Well, it's too late to do anything about her, but hopefully we can learn and react to this horrible situation by changing the requirements for IVF treatments. Now I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I believe single women that would have to rely on an anonymous sperm donor to conceive must go through a hell of a lot more scrutiny than a married couple (or committed partnership in the case of LGBT who can't legally marry). They should be subject to perhaps a psychological evaluation and have to prove they can financially take care of a child, because they will truly be a single parent forever. If a woman get's pregnant after a one night stand, the father is still responsible for the child. Whether or not he steps up the plate is another matter, but the responsibility remains.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue and my suggestions.