Navigating The Complexities of Childbearing in America

In the early centuries, childbearing was a necessity expected from every boy and girl showing signs of fertility. As civilizations grew and modernization seeped in, women had choices when it came to giving birth. America embraced the role of ensuring families took care of their children accordingly. However, challenges based on ethics, culture, economy, and social elements have impacted the care of childbearing. The dynamic global shifts surrounding the four factors continue to direct childcare into another direction. The paper will explore ethical, cultural, economic, and social issues that affect families raising children in the United States.

Ethical Considerations

Many issues surrounding moral judgment exists, especially when deciding the best approach for childbearing. Parents and society always question tactics used based on the 'good' and 'bad' system. Most of the ethical challenges begin during conception and proceed to adulthood. Aderemi (2016) recognizes abortion as a common procedure in America that impacts childbearing families. Although the problem is argued in many dimensions (like religious), its decision remains ethical. Most people consider abortion morally wrong because it denies a fetus's birthright. Others recognize the act 'right', mainly under grievous circumstances such as a mother's mental capacity or incidences like rape. Before the procedure, nurses require to be legally and ethically informed to avoid complications. Aderemi (2016) also points to substance abuse as an ethical consideration during and after pregnancy. Expectant mothers undergo difficult moments throughout, which can lead to mistakes. Remember that they should not consume alcohol or consume any harmful content that threatens an infant's life. Furthermore, childbearing families must not expose young ones to such substances as well. The refusal of medical treatment has also become a moral issue, especially to families with particular religious believes. The constitution protects all children in that they have a right to health care. However, some parents do not consider the policy as significant and, therefore, fail to immunize their children or trust modern medicine. The situation leaves nurses and well-wishers in an ethical dilemma regarding whether to administer treatment because it is the right thing or respect the parent’s wishes to avoid legal problems.

Economic Considerations

The United States has gone through several economic shocks, which have left an impact on the care of childbearing families. Collins et al. (2014) recognize poverty and unemployment as factors challenging birth in the country. Destitution is among the leading component of birth deliveries across America, and it also influences childbearing families because they cannot afford proper medical care or provide basic needs. Inadequate access to affordable family planning programs has become a challenge for the underprivileged. The economic barrier extends to the availability of childbearing services in rural areas where underfunded hospitals exist. According to Collins et al. (2014), disadvantaged communities have a higher risk of producing teenage pregnancies at an increased rate compared to others. Unemployment is also on the rise in the region hence difficulties among childbearing families. A few cases portray delayed births due to lack of jobs, while many incidences account for many unplanned pregnancies. Other issues emerge from policies developed, which influence reproductive behavior, such as the impacts of Medicaid funding restrictions, insurance coverage, parental consent, and waiting periods for minors. These aspects fit in the economic analysis because they consider accessibility and cost of reproductive services in individual economic opportunities. Ideally, the childbearing process attracts substantial costs from conception to the independence stage, where one can manage their life financially.

Cultural Considerations

America hosts diverse cultural communities whose norms and believes impact childbearing families. Brown (2000) reports that between 1988 and 1997, the country recorded increased birthrate among teenagers, primarily those from different racial groups. However, their fertility rate declined by 12% among Hispanic teenagers due to acculturation. Studies suggest that less accultured teenagers have a higher rate of childbearing because their country of origin supports early pregnancies (Collins et al., 2014). The most common issue occurs during childbirth because of cultural differences. A Muslim Arabic woman in labor would embrace nursing from another woman but remain uncomfortable in a man's presence. Others, like the Chinese, become uncooperative when denied symbolic elements of their culture within the labor ward. Callister (2008) recalls how culture frames a woman’s thought process and action such that she adheres to practices, rituals, and beliefs based on acculturation and assimilation into the current primary culture. Her decision also relies on the length of time spent in America, social support, generation links, and linguistic preferences. The bottom line is that there exist many cultural considerations impacting the care of childbearing in America. Some of the aspects adopted interfere with immediate nursing, while others influence fertility rate. Family structure is also a consideration among ethnic groups in America because some prefer traditional composition to modern units. Communities like Indians, Africans, and the Chinese have not accepted surrogacy in favor of same-sex marriages or adoption. It is a norm for these groups to approve traditional unions raising children, thus making it a cultural issue.

Social Considerations

As one of the wealthiest nations, America has several health disparities influenced by social determinants based on racial identity like income, wealth, occupation, education, and experiences, among others. Scholars associate income and wealth to mortality such that the elite have access to better healthcare facilities and insurance coverage, thus low child death rates. They also have adequate access to nutritious diets, suitable housing, healthy neighborhoods, and engage in regular exercise. A majority of low-income earners, on the other hand, adopt unhealthy behaviors like drug abuse, toxic diets, and unsuitable living conditions, which increases death rates. Social status is also a consideration that Collins et al. (2014) associate with teenage pregnancy trends. Ideally, low-income households document higher conception rates with inadequate access to health services. The same case applies to immigrants whose medical options become limited the state policies. The undocumented migrants have to settle for unlicensed nursing practices that threaten childbearing in the future. Literacy rates also account for the social issues experienced. For instance, less educated households have insufficient knowledge regarding insurance coverage and health education. The maternal morbidity among these individuals because they have less exposure to information, such as pregnancy management, termination, complications, and other related details.

Conclusion

Childbearing in America faces significant challenges from ethical, economic, cultural, and social dimensions. Issues surrounding moral considerations emerge from the aspect of 'good' and 'bad' because they seek the best alternative. Economic barriers like insurance coverage, Medicaid restrictions, and inadequate access to childbearing services in rural areas create problems as well. Regarding cultural considerations, distinct norms, rituals, and practices prove challenging during nursing. Social impacts usually affect care based on the health disparities they generate in America. The most affected individuals are low-income earners, teenagers, immigrants, and minority groups in America.

References

1. Aderemi, R. A. (2016). Ethical issues in maternal and child health nursing: challenges faced by maternal and child health nurses and strategies for decision making. International Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research, 5(2), 67-76.
2. Brown, B. (2000). U.S. births rise for first time in eight years; births to teenagers still falling. Family Planning Perspectives, 32(5), 263-4.
3. Callister, L. (2008). Integrating cultural beliefs and practices when caring for childbearing women and families. AWHONN’s perinatal nursing.
4. Collins, L. R.,Jr M.S.W., Felderhoff, B. J., M.S.W., Kim, Y. K., M.S.W., Mengo, C., M.S.W., & Pillai, V. K., PhD. (2014). State-wise variation in teenage birth rates in the United States: Role of teenage birth prevention policies. International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health, 7(3), 239-248.