Octomom
So, I've been thinking a lot about this baby factory ever since she popped out her latest 8.
So, she's catching a great deal of flak, mostly from her parents, and I completely agree. She has a sickness, clearly. She's living off the taxpayers money, and from a recent report, the house that she shares with her kids and parents is a pig sty.
I read an op-ed in Time mag that said we should give her a break. When Jon & Kate became 8, no one squawked and they're on tv every week, basically getting paid for the influx of humans they placed on the planet. When that other crazy young couple had 6 at once, the community came pouring out with donations of diapers, childcare services, and a brand new minivan!
So, what's the difference now? The times- they have changed. Is it that we're in a serious economic slump and seeing one have that many babies is a serious affront to those who have cut back? Is it because she's ALREADY on public assistance (which we didn't know at first)? Is it because she's unmarried? Are we castigating her as a single mother in general? Single mothers have babies all the time (with different fathers!)- is it because she pumped them out at once that we're so upset, as opposed to non-fertility challenged women who churn them out every couple of years?
Whatchu think? I'm especially curious to know what my fellow Brooklynian's think, being that in general I feel as if we're all pretty liberal, do what you want with your life, kinda people.
So, she's catching a great deal of flak, mostly from her parents, and I completely agree. She has a sickness, clearly. She's living off the taxpayers money, and from a recent report, the house that she shares with her kids and parents is a pig sty.
I read an op-ed in Time mag that said we should give her a break. When Jon & Kate became 8, no one squawked and they're on tv every week, basically getting paid for the influx of humans they placed on the planet. When that other crazy young couple had 6 at once, the community came pouring out with donations of diapers, childcare services, and a brand new minivan!
So, what's the difference now? The times- they have changed. Is it that we're in a serious economic slump and seeing one have that many babies is a serious affront to those who have cut back? Is it because she's ALREADY on public assistance (which we didn't know at first)? Is it because she's unmarried? Are we castigating her as a single mother in general? Single mothers have babies all the time (with different fathers!)- is it because she pumped them out at once that we're so upset, as opposed to non-fertility challenged women who churn them out every couple of years?
Whatchu think? I'm especially curious to know what my fellow Brooklynian's think, being that in general I feel as if we're all pretty liberal, do what you want with your life, kinda people.
Comments
-
Personally, the procedure she had went over and above the norm (implanting EIGHT embryos - though they're now saying two split). Additionally, she already has six children. It wasn't healthy for her or for the infants. She risked their lives, her life and their physical health due to her "need" to feel loved.
I'm not fan of Jon and Kate, either, though. But at least she admits to be a money-grubbing tramp. -
Absolutely, the fertitily doctors advise to only implant 6 embryos and that is when the woman is over 35 and it is some rare type of case where everyone agrees this is the only option for this women to have a child.
With that being said, I think it is really sad that these 8 children are probably going to suffer from various medical conditions they're whole lives because they were extremely premature at birth. Now isn't the whole point to have the best interest for these kids?
My other point which may be the less popular is if you can't have kids, well sorry for you. Adopt. We are humans not kitty's who are supposed to have litters -
For me it is that she now has *14* kids. She was comparing herself on the interview I watched last night to those other large families out there (like the Duggar family who just welcomed their 18th child), but what she seemed to not realize is that society doesn't think they're normal, either.
Add to that the fact that she couldn't even support the 6 she has, then we get the addition of the public questioning her judgment. I don't think it is as much about her being a single mom as that you just can't raise 14 kids totally alone. It doesn't have to be a husband, it could be other family or even a nanny. But she clearly doesn't have the money to pay for a nanny, and her mother said she did not support the decision to have more kids, so we're left aghast at the fact that she decided to have more kids despite the obvious lack of a support system for them.
And her plan to support her 14 kids on student loans while she's finishing her degree...? No way this works.
She reminds me of those cat/dog "collectors" we hear about on the news periodically, who enjoy the feeling of getting a new pet and just keep doing it until it gets out of control - usually a few generations in. They're classified as mentally ill and I believe this woman suffers from a similar affliction. Hearing her repeat the phrase "my beebies" over and over, and how all babies are a gift from god also suggested to me that she feels that by having more kids she can receive more of god's affection to fill whatever empty spot her mind has created within herself.
I *almost* would have preferred she just have said that her religion wouldn't permit her to leave her embryos to die or something. That might be the most rational of all the irrational reasons to do what she did. But alas she didn't even go there, just saying she herself wanted more...
I really feel bad for her children, though. I wonder how many of them the state will be supporting in the future right along with their mom...
I also feel bad for the grandmother... she looks like she's already been to hell and back and now has more than double of her daughter's kids to raise.
Last random thought on this topic - doesn't she look a little physically odd? I can't figure out if it is like a mild birth defect or plastic surgery/botox gone wrong... -
It gets worse
-
Toadette wrote:
Agree with the mentally ill assessment, though I am not qualified in any way to make that diagnosis. Also think religion may have played a part in her decision to carry all those babies to term. There is such a thing as selective abortion in cases of multiples as a result of in vitro procedures.
She reminds me of those cat/dog "collectors" we hear about on the news periodically, who enjoy the feeling of getting a new pet and just keep doing it until it gets out of control - usually a few generations in. They're classified as mentally ill and I believe this woman suffers from a similar affliction. Hearing her repeat the phrase "my beebies" over and over, and how all babies are a gift from god also suggested to me that she feels that by having more kids she can receive more of god's affection to fill whatever empty spot her mind has created within herself.
....
Last random thought on this topic - doesn't she look a little physically odd? I can't figure out if it is like a mild birth defect or plastic surgery/botox gone wrong...
Re: surgery--my boyfriend said the same thing to me just this morning.
The whole thing is creepy and sad. Makes me want to kiss my own mom, who is crazy in her own special way, but has normal-sized lips at least and didn't have her children in litters. -
Creating babies in labs has become a big business. I know many women who have undergone various fertility treatments for thousands and thousands of dollars.... none of them had 8 babies! I feel that the doctor is a big part of the problem.
Having all those babies and young children is a problem but just imagine when those kids are adolescents!!! I had a hard enough time with one 15 year old, the thought of 8 of them is a nightmare. -
Something tells me that by the time these 8 are 15, they won't be in the custody of their mom. Maybe I'm wrong though. Maybe this gal will get her own reality tv show and will be able to afford them after all.
-
-
her doctor didn't even come close to following any guidelines by the american college of fertility doctors; they overstuffed her uterus with embryos, knowing she wouldn't selectively reduce. and they obviously didn't screen her for pyschiatric issues.
i blame the doctor and the clinic.. first do no harm, you know? -
Flo wrote: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491130,00.html
Unreal.
maybe she won't even need tv to cash in...
And don't even get me started on the Duggars... -
the duggars look TOTALLY normal compared to this woman.
-
brooklynpotter wrote: the duggars look TOTALLY normal compared to this woman.
This is true. But still freaky. Michelle's uterus has to be dragging behind her when she walks at this point. -
at least the Duggars are self-supportive and had them naturally. I think 18 or however many that have is too many in the sense that two parents can never give that many kids much personal attention.
I like the comparison of octo to a hoarder. She likely does have some sort of mental illness and her children and the general public who pays for them will suffer for it. -
i guarantee her uterus is in better shape than octomom's
-
Not to turn this into a Duggar bashing thread (that's what TWoP is for), but her older kids raise the younger ones.
Back on topic - I agree with the "hoarder" comparison as well. I feel bad for the kids - they're going to grow up screwed up no matter what at this point at the very least from all the negative media attention. -
See, whenever I hear about these freaky large families, it just disgusts me, whether they can afford it or not. I think as a species, we need to realize that there are just too fucking many of us on this planet. And the fact of the matter is, we're growing at such a rapid pace, there simply won't be enough for all to survive. Hell, its already happening all over the world.
I just think its morally wrong- I really do. -
The funniest comment I read on this was from Twitter:
"It's a vagina, not a clown car!" -
Whatchuwant wrote: See, whenever I hear about these freaky large families, it just disgusts me, whether they can afford it or not. I think as a species, we need to realize that there are just too fucking many of us on this planet. And the fact of the matter is, we're growing at such a rapid pace, there simply won't be enough for all to survive. Hell, its already happening all over the world.
I could not have said it better. Drinks to that and thank god for birth control.
I just think its morally wrong- I really do. -
I think Octomom is incredibly selfish, and overcompensating for a lack of love and support/friendship. It's completely and morally irresponsible to force your body to have that many children, when you do not have the resources to provide for the result. In capitalist America, love will only take you so far before the reality and the consequences of child rearing set in. I would feel more sympathetic if the conceptions were natural and somewhat unplanned.
I know someone who is experiencing this - she was an only child, has three kids under 10, a dog, a full time job, and is talking about fostering another child, when her middle one is already horribly ignored. She always references how lonely she felt growing up. -
Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote:
Not only will they be screwed up with mental issues and various medical problems but unless they get scholarships from somewhere ( or by some miracle octomom lands a job paying 6 figures or more a yr) these kids were set up for failure at birth as far as education. Where will they find money for college or strength to even go through with school? Not only was it outrageous to have 14 kids but she picked the wrong time in the economy to do so.
Back on topic - I agree with the "hoarder" comparison as well. I feel bad for the kids - they're going to grow up screwed up no matter what at this point at the very least from all the negative media attention.
We may just be simply impervious to what is really going on. Who knows. -
Did you hear about the new Octomom Breakfast Special at Denny's?
You get 14 eggs, no sausage, and the guy next to you has to pay. -
Whatchuwant wrote: Did you hear about the new Octomom Breakfast Special at Denny's?
HA! That made me giggle.
You get 14 eggs, no sausage, and the guy next to you has to pay. -
Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: [quote=Flo]http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491130,00.html
Unreal.
maybe she won't even need tv to cash in...
And don't even get me started on the Duggars...
yeah, I am sorry, the Duggars have their own issues. But, at least they provide for their children and aren't living off relatives, mom/dad, welfare, etc. -
Agreed. But the plain weirdness of it all. The Duggars just really creep me the hell out. ::shudder::
-
So, did anyone watch the Octomom special last night? I caught the last 45 minutes.
The saddest part for me was where she picked up each one, holding them out like they had smelly diapers, and introduced them to the camera. They were either crying when she picked them up, which made them stop because they were finally getting some attention, or they were fine and started crying because she picked them up!
It makes me sad- she's all "I made a mistake and I'll live with it," but what she doesn't even consider for one minute is that it didn't have to be that way- she could have adopted them out. Hell- SO MANY couples just dying for a baby, like the line in Raising Arizona, she "has more then she can handle."
Now, because she "made a mistake" (how pathetic), those poor children will all suffer. She's a fucking loon.
Did you see the older 5?!?!? They were a freaking MESS! I feel SO bad for those kids..... -
So, did anyone watch the Octomom special last night? I caught the last 45 minutes.
The saddest part for me was where she picked up each one, holding them out like they had smelly diapers, and introduced them to the camera. They were either crying when she picked them up, which made them stop because they were finally getting some attention, or they were fine and started crying because she picked them up!
It makes me sad- she's all "I made a mistake and I'll live with it," but what she doesn't even consider for one minute is that it didn't have to be that way- she could have adopted them out. Hell- SO MANY couples just dying for a baby, like the line in Raising Arizona, she "has more then she can handle."
Now, because she "made a mistake" (how pathetic), those poor children will all suffer. She's a fucking loon.
Did you see the older 5?!?!? They were a freaking MESS! I feel SO bad for those kids..... -
Oh no - I missed it. But I'm quite fascinated/revolted by her. Perhaps I can try and watch it online. Do you remember what channel it was on?
-
Oh no - I missed it. But I'm quite fascinated/revolted by her. Perhaps I can try and watch it online. Do you remember what channel it was on?
Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 40K All Categories
- 27.1K Neighborhoods
- 5.1K Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- 7.1K Prospect Heights
- 2.3K Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
- 8K Park Slope
- 549 Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
- 442 Flatbush/Midwood/Ditmas Park
- 657 BoCoCa (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens)
- 151 Red Hook
- 104 Gowanus
- 304 Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst
- 130 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay
- 270 Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown
- 598 Windsor Terrace / Kensington
- 673 Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
- 749 Brooklyn and Beyond
- 6.3K Stuff
- 86 Brooklyn Back When
- 1.2K Brooklyn Pets
- 257 Brooklyn Kids
- 241 Brooklyn Eats
- 51 Brooklyn Booze
- 3.6K The Lounge / Random Stuff
- 611 Brooklyn Politics
- 122 Brooklyn Sports and Fitness
- 111 Brooklyn Photos
- 339 Site Issues
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6.2K Listings
- 1.1K APARTMENTS and REAL ESTATE
- 1.3K Sales Openings Events
- 2.3K The Classifieds