WikiAnswers contributors share their thoughts on this sensitive topic:
Although the pain, suffering, and regret of giving up a child are DEFINITELY cons, if the baby has not yet been born, then you don't know if the baby really had down syndrome. Many people I've been in contact with were supposed to be "mentally challenged," but turned out to be just as mentally sharp as the rest of us.
Being the religion I am, I honestly think this is very wrong to even think about giving up your child, just because of his/her mental disability. If you are struggling financially, this may be a smart idea, because you would want your child to live a happy life. So, that would be a pro, but a con, like mentioned above, is the regret you'd feel just because you gave your baby up. No matter what the condition, I believe it to be very, very wrong for you to give a child away because of a struggle you may face ahead. These "different people" are not aliens. They are normal people with a soul and heart. If you help and support, they can lead a very fulfilling and normal life. Please take this to heart and think VERY carefully, because once you give the child up, you won't get him/her back.
- Losing the love of your child, who would love and adore you more honestly and openly than any "normal" child. - Not learning to accept a person, no matter their faults. - Not learning the true meaning of parenting; doing the best you can for each of your children so they can reach their full potential. - Forever regretting your decision.
In the real world, keeping a Down's syndrome child would be a heavy burden unless you have a lot of money like Sarah Palin. If you are in the US, the social services system has been so limited by political ideologues that you can't expect much help from the government. Do you have a close family that can help with this child? Would you be able to work if you had to? Are you a single mom? All of these things have to be considered in the real world. The religious are more worried about a fetus than caring and spending money on underprivileged children that are already living amongst us, so take their advice with a grain of salt. (As evidenced by their strong support of Republican political views)
"Just when you think you have learned what you need to know in life, someone truly special comes into it and shows you just how much more there is." - From the website Downsyn.com, which describes...
There are no financial costs involved with relinquishing a child for adoption.
There may be, however, great emotional costs that should be closely evaluated before such a final and irrevocable...