Artifical Wombs.

[frigidmagi]

I was talking to Silence about this the other day. One of the reasons for fewer kids as women gain more economic and political equality is frankly, being pregnant is something of a show stopper. It's awkward, clumsy and can put a dent in the career.

So I'm gonna ask about Artifical Wombs (isn't it amazing what happens when Magi spends 3 hours in a the Sci-Fi section at Barnes and Nobles?).

Let's say an completely safe and sound artificial womb that completely replicates the natural environment is available. What impact does this have on people's lives (I should note you still have to actually raise the kid) and society? Assume it's more or less accepted and there are no real negative impacts on the mother or the child psychologically or physically.

Does this raise birth rates? Lower them? Have no impact?

Does this make life harder on women or easier?

What impact does it have on guys?

[Hotfoot]

I have an issue with the "No real negative impacts on the mother or child psychologically", as from all I've heard, the mother tends to have a special bond that forms with the child during gestation. Maybe it's all a bunch of claptrap, but I can't imagine the experience is the same and that might lead to a real change in how the child is bonded with the family. The children born in such a fashion may be treated slightly more like adopted children than natural born, especially since I doubt the artificial womb would be kept in the home, but rather it would be at a lab somewhere, where the parents would rarely see it. Mail-order kids, anyone?

After the kid comes home, the bonding will start as usual, but that disrupted first step could have unforeseen consequences down the line. I point out that people are not perfect and that while many parents may be accepting, this is a dramatic shift from the norm.

Remember also that as far as dents in careers, you still have to raise the kid, and that's what takes up the most time once the kid is born. Tending to a baby's every need for the first several months is itself a full time job. All the artificial womb would do is allow women to have more active jobs during the period of gestation, so the process would have to be relatively cheap (most such jobs do not pay extremely well).

Guys are spared having to run to the 24 shop for pickles, ice cream, and peanut butter, but I think that's about it.

[frigidmagi]

I have an issue with the "No real negative impacts on the mother or child psychologically", as from all I've heard, the mother tends to have a special bond that forms with the child during gestation. Maybe it's all a bunch of claptrap, but I can't imagine the experience is the same and that might lead to a real change in how the child is bonded with the family. The children born in such a fashion may be treated slightly more like adopted children than natural born, especially since I doubt the artificial womb would be kept in the home, but rather it would be at a lab somewhere, where the parents would rarely see it. Mail-order kids, anyone?

I got no way of measuring it one way or the other and no way of really telling short of doing, so I'm dodging the issue completely Hotfoot.

[Hotfoot]

Fair enough, but it's a legitimate concern. People might not opt for it if they feel it's unnatural, and it may affect birth rates as a result. I think it would only really affect three general groups of people:

1. Those that are desperate for children but economically cannot take off time for their jobs or reduced responsibilities for the time of gestation.

2. The lazy/vain rich folk who want kids, but don't want to bother with the hassles of pregnancy. Especially those who don't want to ruin their figure.

3. Those unable to have children naturally who do not want to adopt.

[frigidmagi]

My counter good sir is as follows.

Lawyers, execs, doctors, nurses, troops, cops, firefigthers, nuclear core workers, bio-hazard techs. Or anyone working in a hazardous zone.

All are professions where if you're with child you're getting put on the bleachers pretty quick (rather literally in the case of troops) and time is money so to speak. For young professionals in these areas the 2 to 3 months is a big one.

[LadyTevar]

Oddly enough, I had a discussion about this with a Anti-Abortionist Co-Worker. (I have a lot of Fundies at work)

We discussed the possibility of Artificial Wombs as a measure to curb Abortions. Instead of Aborting the fetus, the woman would have it removed much like embryos are removed from racing horses, and implanted in the artificial womb. Once born, or perhaps even while the fetus is maturing, it can be put up for adoption.

[Cynical Cat]

I have an issue with the "No real negative impacts on the mother or child psychologically", as from all I've heard, the mother tends to have a special bond that forms with the child during gestation. Maybe it's all a bunch of claptrap, but I can't imagine the experience is the same and that might lead to a real change in how the child is bonded with the family. The children born in such a fashion may be treated slightly more like adopted children than natural born, especially since I doubt the artificial womb would be kept in the home, but rather it would be at a lab somewhere, where the parents would rarely see it. Mail-order kids, anyone?

There's all sorts of hormonal activity during pregnancy, which helps bonding and leads to mood swings and can lead to post-partum depression. Obviously, some people are still crappy mothers anyway, but it does matter to both the child and the parent.

As for time considerations, there's this thing called maternity leave and some countries also have extensive paternity leave. I'm not opposed to this technology on principle, but it'll have to work pretty damn well to beat bio mom and maternity leave (barring exceptional cases, which will of course occur).

[frigidmagi]

Can we stick to the op?