New Ways of Thinking About the Pro-Choice, Prolife Debate

A toddler aged 3-4 years has been left at a Japanese "baby hatch" aimed at mothers wanting to put their newborns up for adoption, reports say.
The child was said to be old enough to tell medics at the hospital in southern Japan that his father had left him.

The drop-off at Jikei Hospital, which opened last week, has been criticised by some, including the government.

The Catholic-run hospital has said it is aimed at helping new mothers who would otherwise resort to abortion.

Abortion rates are relatively high in Japan, while adoptions have traditionally been rare.

--BCC Morning News Feed

I read this this morning (full article linked in post title) and pondered it for a few minutes.

First of all, Japan does not have the religious foundations that we have in the US. This does not mean that Japan is atheistic - they are just founded in a different belief system.

It is also interesting to find that abortion rates are so high in Japan, but adoption rates are so low. I have to admit, the pro-choicer in me rejoices to know that women in Japan excercise their right to choose. However, it appears from the tone of the article that adoption is somewhat stigmatized. The article quotes Japan's Prime Minister, saying:

But the plans were heavily criticised by government officials, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who said parents must bring up children themselves.

Secondly, I also find it sad that a TODDLER was dropped off into the adoption hutch, when the intention is for newborn children.

The child was old enough to talk and identify himself.

I like the idea of the adoption hutch, particularly considering how many young women try to abandon their children away after birth. Still, it seems like one small solution to much larger problems.