The Duggers, the Arkansas family that stars in 19 Kids and Counting, recently miscarried their 20th child. They came under fire, more than usual, when they took photos of the 4oz, 6cm baby prior to a memorial service. It begs the question, when does one become a parent? At birth? At conception? Somewhere in between? When is it appropriate to take photos and have memorial services? Only after a live birth or a full term still birth? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/12/photo-of-duggars-stillborn-baby-released/

How much should career goals, dreams, ambitions, and loves factor into the decision how/when/whether or not to become a parent?

Here is an interesting post that addresses the modern issue of money and becoming a parent- very relevant in the U.S. today.

Age is a factor in deciding when to become a parent. A childless woman in her thirties can hardly escape references to drying eggs, ticking clocks, closing windows, etc… But what about men who have children later in life? This article explores the “biological disadvantages of late-in-life fatherhood.”

There seems to be an assumption that any couple physically capable of having their own child would prefer to do so rather than adopting. In this article, the author shares others’ dismay over his and his wife’s decision to adopt a six-year-old with autism when they could just have their own child. I think adoption-as-a-first-resort is more common than people think and I look forward to exploring the idea further.