Do you think Birth Mothers is an insensitive comment?

[donnashuggy]

Apparently Tony Abbott has withdrawn the comment and apologised.

[izabsmiling]

Can you imagine how someone who had their baby kidnapped and was deprived of being their parent may feel about later being referred to as the Birth Mother ? especially if an apology was issued on behalf of those who kidnapped the baby ?

[izabsmiling]

We are sorry you were made 'birth mothers'  not Mothers

[purple_haize]

The question was...Do you think Birth Mothers is an insensitive comment?

I put no.

Birth mother, biological mother are both the same.......a woman that gives birth to a baby...

[twinkles**stars]

what may be offensive to one is not to another....without being a mind reader it's impossible to not offend

[izabsmiling]

No one needed to be a mind reader TS.The apology was as a result of a lot of input.It was there and is there for MP's and everyone to read.What matters is how those who the apology was given to feel about the term being used .

[katydidthat]

The term 'birth mother' means exactly that, a woman who gave birth to a child.  I seriously cannot see how it would be deemed offensive.

Again ... I think it is only a term that makes sense if you are comparing the mother who gave birth to a "different" kind of mother ... usually those who were adoptive parents.  

It wouldn't make sense to call me ... the mother of a 15 year old son "the birth mother" ... because I have been lucky enough to be his mother, in all senses of the word, throughout his life ... although, I did give birth to him.  

It's usually used to indicate a mother who gave up her rights to a baby to have him or her adopted ... who WILLINGLY RELINQUISHED their rights to bring up that baby.  

That kind of mother gave birth ... and that was it ... they made their CHOICE to give the baby up for adoption.  

In the case where children were taken away from their mothers, when their mothers were UNWILLING to give their babies up, it seems to me that another term may be more sensitive.  

[izabsmiling]

A Community of Suffering: Australian Stories about ‘Forced Adoption’
Marian Quartly

I am a Natural Mother who was the victim, as was my first born, to an illegal
and forced adoption in 1973. This happened to many Mothers thousands in
fact here in Australia I assure you from about 1940 to early 1980. I will not
refer nor allow others to refer to me as either a birth Mother or a relinquishing
mother. Both titles are degrading and inaccurate. As to what really happened.
I am not a mere incubator as a birth mother suggests just of use until you
have given birth then brutally discarded, nor am I a relinquishing mother. I
never gave my permission for my precious first born, baby, a daughter to be
snatched so barbarically from me the minute she was born on my 17th
birthday 11-9-1973 and put up for adoption. Nor did I ask to be heavily
sedated and given anti lactation medication. Nor have I ever found any
Mother who willingly gave up a baby or child for adoption and doubt I ever will.
I always wanted and loved my baby but was denied my Motherhood by others
who should have known better.
This is the beginning of Judith Hendriksen’s story about how she lost her baby to
adoption. It can be read in full on the History of Adoption website, at
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/historyofadoption/

http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/article/viewFile/2247/2681

here is one 

[cherry*135]

bella -  Personally I think the protest wasn't about the term birth parent at all it is about the pain, hurt and betrayal these parents feel.  I think they would have been hurt no matter which expression was used.

I agree with this statement.

[azureline**]

here is one 

[azureline**]

sorry..... this bit indicates she is speaking about every mother whose child was adopted.....

Nor have I ever found any Mother who willingly gave up a baby or child for adoption and doubt I ever will.