Phil 235 Term Paper
10/5/2014
Phil 235 Term Paper
Term Paper: The Right to Have Children
The right to have children is understood in very different ways and people’s ethics and values are put to the test each and everyday when they find out they not only must take care of themselves but the lives of another human being. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted this statement regarding the right to bear children “men and women of full age, without any limitations to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and found a family”[1]. This concept has been viewed in multiple ways and according to ethical theorists; they agree that no rights are absolute. However, it is said that for women at least, there is a fundamental privilege to have children. The right to life is a universally recognized right for all human beings. It is a fundamental right in which governs all other existing rights.
For children, the right to life is the chance to be able to live and have the possibility to grow, to develop and become adults[2]. This right comprises two essential aspects: the right to have one’s life protected from birth and the right to be able to survive and develop appropriately[3].
The right to parenthood can be a very delicate matter. Many people have different views when it comes to procreate and parent children. An example of this was a case about a man from Wisconsin who was placed on probation because he was unable to pay child support for all nine of his children. During his probation, he was to not father any more children unless he could prove that he could support his children and any other children he would bring into this world. This case has been in debate about the nature and limits of the right to procreate. In cases such as this one, where the supposed right has been overridden by other considerations, it is hard to decide whether the bet conceptualization of the case is in terms of a right being overridden, or in terms of a right which was non-existent in
Phil 235 Term Paper
Term Paper: The Right to Have Children
The right to have children is understood in very different ways and people’s ethics and values are put to the test each and everyday when they find out they not only must take care of themselves but the lives of another human being. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted this statement regarding the right to bear children “men and women of full age, without any limitations to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and found a family”[1]. This concept has been viewed in multiple ways and according to ethical theorists; they agree that no rights are absolute. However, it is said that for women at least, there is a fundamental privilege to have children. The right to life is a universally recognized right for all human beings. It is a fundamental right in which governs all other existing rights.
For children, the right to life is the chance to be able to live and have the possibility to grow, to develop and become adults[2]. This right comprises two essential aspects: the right to have one’s life protected from birth and the right to be able to survive and develop appropriately[3].
The right to parenthood can be a very delicate matter. Many people have different views when it comes to procreate and parent children. An example of this was a case about a man from Wisconsin who was placed on probation because he was unable to pay child support for all nine of his children. During his probation, he was to not father any more children unless he could prove that he could support his children and any other children he would bring into this world. This case has been in debate about the nature and limits of the right to procreate. In cases such as this one, where the supposed right has been overridden by other considerations, it is hard to decide whether the bet conceptualization of the case is in terms of a right being overridden, or in terms of a right which was non-existent in
Bibliography: "Right to Life." Childrens Rights Portal. Childrens Rights, 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. Statman, Daniel. "The Right to Parenthood." Ethical Perspectives (2003): 223-35. Bioethics & Human Dignity. N.p., 06 May 2003. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. Ornstein, Dr. Jack. Biomedical thics class notes. Lesson 9, slide 1, 4. 2013 5143989695