Spring Break
Discussing rumors surrounding infamous Octomom
Kathy Greaves
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Forum
Dear Dr. Sex:
I am really tired of hearing about how much everyone hates "Octomom" or thinks she's crazy, etc., and I haven't heard the other side. I thought you might have some words of wisdom about the situation.
For example, why is everyone bashing her, yet TLC has the show "John and Kate plus 8" and "18 Kids and Counting" and praises them? John and Kate had their children through the same process that Octomom did. Their sextuplets were not planned for. Is it because both couples are married? I thought society was past discriminating against women when they weren't married.
People are mad because we were paying taxes for her child support or something, yet there are so many other things that are unjust that we are paying for: the war, oil companies overseas enslaving people to build pipelines, bailouts for the corrupt, etc.
Maybe you could explain what I am missing?
Signed,
Get Over It
Dear Get Over It:
I'm not sure I can clarify the whole issue, but I certainly will try. First, I'll give you some basic facts. Nadya Denise Doud-Suleman Gutierrez, or Octomom, as she's referred to, was born in the United States, graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree that is equivalent to the department in which I currently teach (Human Development and Family Sciences), and she and her former husband separated because they couldn't conceive.
I'm not clear as to who the sperm donors were for all of her children, but before the octuplets, she had six other children, all conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). There were six IVF attempts; five were successful, and the sixth time produced twins, thus 6 children total. Keep in mind that each of the six IVF attempts included six embryos, with only one embryo being viable the first four times. With this seventh and last IVF attempt, there were also six embryos, but two of them split into identical twins, thus the octuplets.
So there are the facts as I understand them. Now here's why people are so upset:
I am really tired of hearing about how much everyone hates "Octomom" or thinks she's crazy, etc., and I haven't heard the other side. I thought you might have some words of wisdom about the situation.
For example, why is everyone bashing her, yet TLC has the show "John and Kate plus 8" and "18 Kids and Counting" and praises them? John and Kate had their children through the same process that Octomom did. Their sextuplets were not planned for. Is it because both couples are married? I thought society was past discriminating against women when they weren't married.
People are mad because we were paying taxes for her child support or something, yet there are so many other things that are unjust that we are paying for: the war, oil companies overseas enslaving people to build pipelines, bailouts for the corrupt, etc.
Maybe you could explain what I am missing?
Signed,
Get Over It
Dear Get Over It:
I'm not sure I can clarify the whole issue, but I certainly will try. First, I'll give you some basic facts. Nadya Denise Doud-Suleman Gutierrez, or Octomom, as she's referred to, was born in the United States, graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree that is equivalent to the department in which I currently teach (Human Development and Family Sciences), and she and her former husband separated because they couldn't conceive.
I'm not clear as to who the sperm donors were for all of her children, but before the octuplets, she had six other children, all conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). There were six IVF attempts; five were successful, and the sixth time produced twins, thus 6 children total. Keep in mind that each of the six IVF attempts included six embryos, with only one embryo being viable the first four times. With this seventh and last IVF attempt, there were also six embryos, but two of them split into identical twins, thus the octuplets.
So there are the facts as I understand them. Now here's why people are so upset:
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Erica Herndon
posted 5/06/09 @ 7:40 AM PST
Who the hell does this person think they are talking about how poor people should not have children? I really think that a person like you should take a step back and think about what you are saying. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 5/06/09 @ 3:48 PM PST
Erica,
I think you misunderstood the article. "Dr. Sex" was defending Octomom and poor people. She mixed sarcasm into her column in kind of a confusing way, in my opinion, but, basically, she seems to be agreeing with you. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 5/06/09 @ 6:37 PM PST
All I want to know is whos paying for octomoms plastic surgery? If she cant afford to pay her bills then why is she having more kids?
Kayla
posted 5/07/09 @ 1:23 AM PST
I think this lady(if you want to call her that or should I say trash)is totally irresponsible. I think her children should be taken away and place in a home where the children can be properly taken care of. (Continued…)
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.