Study on Confidential Birth and Safety Measures of Infants from Unmarried Mothers

Abstract

In historical perspective, infant abandonment is not a new phenomenon. From ancient Greeks to biblical times, infant abandonment, regardless of its motivation, was always part of the society. Ever since foundling wheels resurfaced as the baby box, an anonymous relinquishment of infants at designated safe locations, they have stirred up ethical dilemmas wherever they were established. Despite the good intention of saving lives of infants from infanticide, rights of mothers who wish to remain anonymous and rights of children who wish to know their biological origins became conflicts of interest in many countries practicing one of many models of the baby box. In few countries, the baby box evolved into an anonymous birth and confidential birth systems. Although French remained fully supportive of mothers anonymity in respect to their private lives, Germans, on the other hand, brought forth the confidential birth system where the confidentiality of the mother is fully secured only until the child turns sixteen. After sixteen, the child is granted with a right to seek the court about his biological information. Safe Haven Acts of United States grants mothers immunity from persecution and anonymity only if infants are left unharmed. Japan, however, shares vast amount of similarities with the Koreas baby box in cultural and legal context. Therefore, by comparing historical, cultural, legal and ethical context of each country and various forms of safety net for the issues pertaining to infant abandonment, Koreas current baby box, and its relevant issues are thoroughly evaluated. Koreas Special Adoption Law, amended in 2012, is specifically examined in regards to the issue of increased infant abandonment rate. According to the study, it is evident that factors played in infant abandonment are non-uniform, but those who commit infant abandonment share certain characteristics. By achieving a manifestation of social marginalization on those who often commit infant abandonment, it is apparent that the active involvement of health care professionals followed by an introduction of confidential birth is vital for Korea to secure lives of relinquished infants.