While we argue over whether to allow late-term abortions here in the U.S., a young mother in China has been forced to have an abortion at seven months. 25-year-old Feng Jianmei faced an unthinkable choice: Pay a fee, the equivalent of four years' of her husband's salary, or abort her baby. In the end she had no choice. She was abducted by 20 officials and given an injection that killed her baby girl.
The event was so traumatic, Feng's husband Deng Ji Yuan says, that she tried to slit her wrists. The Chinese government has apologized and three officials have been suspended. But that's not going to bring Feng's baby back. And it's a feeble response to such a horrible act.
Feng and her husband Deng Ji Yuan already had a young daughter. According to Chinese law, urban families can only have one child while rural families may have two children. Feng actually lived in a rural area, but she hadn't registered after moving from the city. It didn't matter to Chinese Family Planning authorities.
And it also didn't matter to them that Feng's family was actually scrambling to gather enough money to pay the fee. Family Planning didn't wait. But the fee itself is ridiculous. You know what that fee means? If you're wealthy enough you can buy you way to a second or third baby. In China, only the rich have a real choice about how many children they have.
Another family almost met the same fate as Feng and Deng. Cao Ruyi was five months pregnant when Family Planning sent her to the hospital for a forced abortion. Fortunately Feng's story had alerted world-wide attention. Pressure groups flooded Chinese authorities and Cao was released, still pregnant -- for now. But she still faces a deadline. Pay the outrageous "social burden" fee or abort her baby. It's like a sick gangster threat.
To me, Feng and Cao's stories are the flip side of the choice debate. As a mother who supports a woman's right to choose I am every bit as outraged over Feng's forced abortion as I am over American women who are forced to carry a baby to full term against their will -- and especially when doing so puts their health at risk.
You can see the horrific image of Feng with her aborted baby lying next to her. But do you really want to? I wish I hadn't. Several groups are trying to help Cao Ruyi. I don't know if any of them are legit, but the Cao Ruyi Facebook page can give you a few leads. Congressman Chris Smith (R, NJ) has reportedly called upon the Chinese government to stop these practices.
Do you think the Chinese government might change its one-child laws someday?
Image via heydrienne/Flickr
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Comments 76
This is a horrifying story, however, it is the way things are in China. Everyone knows the rules there. As cruel as this way, would it have been better for her to have the baby and then be forced to kill him/her or leave it in the woods to die? This is what happens everyday in China and may other countries. I agree with the mom would said "Thank God I live in the USA". AMen to that!! A dear friend just came back from a mission trip in Costa Rica and before their church opened a day care, many of the kids had designated days that they ate - they didn't every day. To think of the food we consume and waste while other kids don't even have a cracker every day... Also, a friend just adopted a baby girl from Uganda. She had been left for the dead in the woods because her mother had been raped and the baby was 'tainted by evil". She is the most precious girl and is now living the life in the USA.
that is sick horrible and disgusting.
This world is insane. I am 27 years old and just had a baby and couldn't imagine going through something like this. I will never bring another child into this sick world. I already worry about my son and his future in this world after reading stories like this.
I think the world would be a bit fairer and open minded about pregnancies if men could get pregnant too.
Honestly, I think governments shouldn't have a say in a woman's parental choices.
prying for peace for this family an ther ebeautiful baby angel to watch over them. I will not discuss politics and any way you turn this it is a horrific event and we should not even have any negative thoughts other than how horrible this is. If you believe in God just please take a moment and pray for this family .
i have no words... im speachless
I agree with one of the other lady's on here.
Yes very sad woman have to go through this, but dont get knocked up if you know your can't afford the fine or that they will kill your baby...Its just dumb. Move! Why would you raise a kid there anyway? yuck!
As far as America, PEOPLE PAY ATTENTIOn, america is heading in this direction. Be carefull what you "wish" for........when you vote.