Mrs M
yoda76NEWS THIS WEEK 1 NOVEMBER 2011
November 1st 2011 03:36
Monday 31 October 2011 saw the 7 billionth baby born.
There is a lot of discussion about the merit of celebrating the 7 billionth member of the world’s population. Environmental impact, social impact, cultural impact, economic impact, agricultural impact, health and medical impact.
It’s a lot of information to try and take in especially when all you want to do is have a baby. A brand new baby can highlight the short-comings that we have in this world. In reality though, does anyone actually decide to have or not to have a child because it is in the best interests of the planet?
Is curbing population growth the answer? Don’t we still need to find other ways to live on this planet?
Whereas in the same week it was revealed that thousands of Australians have missed out on assisted reproductive treatment since the federal government changed funding last year, resulting in the loss of 1500 babies that would have otherwise been born.
Is Australia heading in the right direction?
And a performance artist in New York has given birth in an art gallery with an audience looking on. The mother, Marni Kotak, said this was the “highest form of art”. I don’t discount that giving birth is an indescribable experience, I’m not sure it’s an artform.
I don’t particularly care that Ms Kotak decided to give birth in an art gallery; childbirth should not be kept behind closed doors as it were; which is why I love the television series One Born Every Minute.
Is childbirth an art form? Is it an expression of you, the mother and artist; or even the father? Maybe I’m missing the point. I would love to hear your thoughts on this one.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
There is a lot of discussion about the merit of celebrating the 7 billionth member of the world’s population. Environmental impact, social impact, cultural impact, economic impact, agricultural impact, health and medical impact.
It’s a lot of information to try and take in especially when all you want to do is have a baby. A brand new baby can highlight the short-comings that we have in this world. In reality though, does anyone actually decide to have or not to have a child because it is in the best interests of the planet?
Is curbing population growth the answer? Don’t we still need to find other ways to live on this planet?
Whereas in the same week it was revealed that thousands of Australians have missed out on assisted reproductive treatment since the federal government changed funding last year, resulting in the loss of 1500 babies that would have otherwise been born.
Is Australia heading in the right direction?
And a performance artist in New York has given birth in an art gallery with an audience looking on. The mother, Marni Kotak, said this was the “highest form of art”. I don’t discount that giving birth is an indescribable experience, I’m not sure it’s an artform.
I don’t particularly care that Ms Kotak decided to give birth in an art gallery; childbirth should not be kept behind closed doors as it were; which is why I love the television series One Born Every Minute.
Is childbirth an art form? Is it an expression of you, the mother and artist; or even the father? Maybe I’m missing the point. I would love to hear your thoughts on this one.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
| 28 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Straunosauros
I myself had quite a few of those years, partially shaped by my parent's dinner table ranting about how the world was doomed. I often reminded them that I had to live in this world & if they were so disgruntled with it then why did they bring me or my brother & sister into it?
Part of being a parent should be to show how amazing the world is, despite it's challenges. Sure, don't sugar coat the reality, but it's far too easy to focus on negatives. Perhaps we could all do with being a bit more positive about finding a sustainable way to survive as the human race.
Thanks "Mum's Word".
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I fully recommend 'The Margarets' by Sheri S Tepper, or 'Shadows End' by the same. That might help you understand my point. I actually read The Margarets while I was pregnant and had to have an in depth session with my mental health support. (Not kidding)
I didnt have my baby for me, I had her for my partner, who is selfish by his own admission. Without her his family line would have died at him, mine would have carried on because my eldest brother had several children. With different women.
I dont think chilbirth is an artform, its a function, a bodily function. If you want to go on and make art out of bodily functions (as some artists are bound to do) then I suppose it could be done, but what if her labour was like mine? Suddenly complicated, involving many doctors and medical instruments? Its not very arty to be screaming "knock me out and get her out of me!" at a seemingly uncaring medical team.
The child itself is an artform, particularly if you understand the slightest thing about inherited genetic traits.