Chinese Localization Of Baby Safe Havens And Reflections On The Protection Of Abandoned Babies From The Perspective Of The Government

From centuries past to the present day, baby abandonment has been an unavoidable social phenomenon. As abandoned babies often face a poor chance of survival and at a high risk of being harmed, their rights to life and health are insufficiently protected. China’s population is enormous, and the numbers of abandoned babies are also staggering. At the same time, while a market economy has been built, it is still in its initial stages, and the breakdown of traditional village society and huge societal changes has made the issue of baby abandonment become even more prominent. As public consciousness awakens and spreads, the government, as the representative of the public and whose main concerns are the collective interest and aims of its citizens, has transplanted the institution of "baby hatches" in order to better fulfill its social responsibility towards babies who have been abandoned. Recognizing that abandoned babies are a vulnerable group in society, the government hopes to provide more comprehensive protection to them in order to minimize natural or human causes of inequality and unfairness. From the establishment of the first baby safe haven on1June2011in Shi Jia Zhuang City, baby safe havens have gradually spread to other cities. On18February2014, it was reported that25baby safe havens were established and operating in China and that other cities were planning to establish baby safe havens. At the same time, a debate about the morality and rationality of baby safe havens has ensued and continued unabated. When on16March2014, Guangzhou City announced that it was forced to stop accepting babies at its safe haven because it had reached the limit of its capacity; the controversy surrounding the issue of baby safe havens reached a peak. Underlying the controversy was the anxiety and deep consideration in society sparked by the issue of baby abandonment and baby safe havens. This paper discusses the phenomenon of baby abandonment and related problems. It will discuss the difficulties in the implementation of the policy of establishing baby safe havens in China, the reasons behind them and consider the Chinese government’s rationale for the establishment of baby safe havens. This author considers that while the government’s "kind intentions" should be recognized, the establishment of baby safe havens does not suit the current reality in China, and that baby safe havens are not the Chinese government’s best choice in protecting abandoned babies. New ways to protect abandoned babies need to be found. This paper will look at the experience of certain countries in the protection of abandoned babies, through baby safe havens and otherwise. Through such analysis, the author concludes that the establishment of baby safe havens is not the most important issue facing the Chinese government in the protection of abandoned babies at this stage. Instead, the author considers that key is to build a comprehensive and effective system to reduce the prevalence of babies being abandoned and which would provide protection to babies who are abandoned. This paper will provide thoughts and suggestions for such a system, and the author hopes that this paper will provoke further thought on the issue of baby abandonment in China and possible solutions.