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There has been a tragedy in Florida after a 2-year-old girl died from being left in a vehicle in the hot sun. The child was left in the vehicle for an atrocious 14 hours. The parents are facing a variety of charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamines. With horror stories like this, it reminds us that not everyone should be a parent. Furthermore, no one should be forced to be a parent, especially people who are wantonly irresponsible and ensnared in constant criminal activity. That said, the destruction of Roe V. Wade has encouraged the births of countless children who would have honestly been better off never being born. When society forces children to be born into dangerous and dysfunctional homes, we aren’t doing them any favors.  

The Unforeseen Consequences: Overturning Roe v. Wade and Child Welfare

The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked intense debates about reproductive rights and women’s autonomy but also about potential fallout on societal safety, child welfare, and public health. Now that this decision has been reversed, a pressing concern arises: What are the risks we face when individuals who are not equipped to be parents bring children into the world and raise them in unsafe environments? Firstly, we must consider the implications on child welfare. Children fare best in stable, nurturing, and safe environments. When a child is brought into a world where these conditions are not met, they face a host of risks, including exposure to abuse or neglect, inadequate access to nutrition, healthcare, education, and ultimately, compromised life outcomes. While there is a broad spectrum of parenting capabilities, and many individuals who did not plan their pregnancies may become excellent parents, we must also consider the potential for an increase in neglected or abused children. The risk of child maltreatment can increase when parents are unable or unwilling to care for a child or when they lack the necessary financial, emotional, or social support. Overturning Roe v. Wade may inadvertently increase these cases by forcing parenthood upon those who are not prepared for it.

Additionally, we must confront the reality that the reversal of Roe v. Wade could disproportionately impact the most vulnerable among us. Low-income women, women of color, and young women have historically relied more heavily on the right to access abortion services. They are also more likely to lack the resources necessary to raise a child, increasing the potential of children being born into situations of extreme poverty or instability. The overturning of Roe v. Wade could also increase the rates of illegal and unsafe abortions. History has shown that when legal avenues for abortion are restricted or eliminated, desperate individuals may resort to dangerous methods. The resulting health complications, or even death, pose a serious public health concern. Moreover, it’s important to consider the potential strain on the already burdened foster care and adoption system. An increase in unwanted pregnancies could potentially inflate these numbers, overwhelming a system that is already struggling to provide adequate support and care for every child.

Lastly, by eliminating legal abortion, we may see an increase in maternal mortality and morbidity rates, particularly in states with limited access to quality prenatal and maternal healthcare. Women who do not wish to become mothers may be less likely to seek out prenatal care, leading to poorer outcomes for both the mother and the child. We must ensure that comprehensive social supports, family planning services, and sex education are widely accessible to mitigate these potential risks. Increased access to contraception, comprehensive sex education, and a focus on reducing poverty can help ensure that every child is wanted and able to be adequately cared for.

A Rising Problem: the Foster Care System Buckles Under the Weight of Uncontrolled Births 

Meanwhile, the foster care system is witnessing an unprecedented demand, with fewer available homes and a dearth of financial resources, thus endangering its ability to ensure the welfare of the children it serves. We must increase our investment in the foster care and adoption system, improving support for both the children within it and the families who choose to foster or adopt. We should prioritize mental health resources and addiction services for struggling parents, as well as affordable healthcare, affordable childcare, and a livable wage for all families. The foster care system, intended as a safety net for children who cannot live with their biological families due to circumstances such as abuse, neglect, or parental substance use disorders, is now at risk of being overwhelmed. The added influx of children resulting from the restriction of abortion access is exacerbating the system’s longstanding issues, such as high caseloads, limited resources, and a shortage of suitable foster homes. The children who are caught in this unfortunate circumstance often experience trauma and instability, which could have lasting impacts on their emotional, physical, and mental health. Not to mention, their chances of experiencing homelessness, early parenthood, low educational attainment, and unemployment are significantly higher compared to their peers who have not been in the system. Also concerning is the markedly high rate at which foster care kids, especially males, wind up in jail by their mid-twenties. 

This crisis calls for immediate action. To help the foster care system cope with this rising issue, a multi-faceted approach must be taken. Primarily, it is crucial to expand the capacity of the foster care system, recruit and train more foster parents, and increase resources allocated to child welfare services. The rising pressure on the foster care system since the overturning of Roe v. Wade is a poignant reminder of the intricate, interconnected nature of social issues. The solution lies not only in bolstering the foster care system but also in re-evaluating and reforming policies that place an undue burden on it in the first place. In doing so, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing and supportive environment. In closing, we need to restore the protection of Roe v. Wade in addition to generating more support for the foster care system and educating parents. 

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About The Author

Harrison Bryan

Harrison is an experienced writer and marketing connoisseur. Specializing in sales copy, he works with some of the most innovative names in business and is interested in the relationship between marketing and psychology. As a staff writer for SFL Media, he has a broad focus and covers some of the most exciting developments in South Florida.