Paper revision

Gender Selection: Parents Should Not Be Allowed To Choose the Gender of Their Children

DeMarcus Lindsey

ENG 201

Gender Selection: Parents Should Not Be Allowed To Choose the Gender of Their Children

The issue of gender has become a hot topic in recent years. Both men and women are becoming increasingly concerned about their place in society. With issues of discrimination along gender lines and some societies preferring children of certain gender inclinations over others, the concerns do not seem to be disappearing any time soon. So, should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their children? I do not think so. Parents should not be able to choose the gender of their children (Storrs, 2016). In this paper, I will discuss why parents should not be allowed to choose the gender of their children with a major focus on the arguments that it amounts to playing God and can also result in gender biases. Comment by Michelle Krueger: Find a better way to put this. It’s too conversational for an academic essay. Comment by Michelle Krueger: Make sure that you are clear in the intro and thesis about what you mean. It’s not clear that you are talking about choosing whether or not to implant a male or female embryo. I was confused, thinking that you meant parents were trying to turn their kids transgender.

Choosing the gender of a child is controversial in its own sense in that it will bring in a sense of gender bias in some societies. The liberty to choose the gender of a child also amounts to playing God and in that case it interferes with the natural process through which parents should conceive. These are two of the main arguments that experts out there have come up with against the issue of choosing the gender of children. When choosing the gender of their children a good number of parents use a process referred to as in Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Most experts, even those in the medical field have argued against this method with the notion that it interferes with the natural process through which children have to be conceived (Storrs, 2016). Comment by Michelle Krueger: These seem like two different issues that could each have its own paragraph. You should address them one at a time. Comment by Michelle Krueger: This seems like a second intro paragraph. Just launch into the first argument and take it from there.

The other major reason why parents should not be allowed to choose the gender of their children is that by doing so, that could result in gender bias. It is common knowledge that even in the 21st century; discrimination against women is still rampant. In that same case, there are concerns, especially in some countries in Asia about some societies valuing the boys more than the girls. Some might argue that this is just a cultural stereotype but it can be quite serious. It is because of these two main reasons that I feel that parents should be allowed to choose gender or have this level of control over their offspring (Storrs, 2016). Comment by Michelle Krueger: You mentioned this already in the previous paragraph. Watch your organization, as it could get confusing for readers. Comment by Michelle Krueger: Fully introduce sources and give them credibility so readers know they are experts on the topic.

The issue of choosing the gender of a child has major implications not just on the couple but the society as a whole. It is therefore not just something that can be taken lightly as such. Morales (2002) argue that choosing a baby’s gender is an issue that has been in existence for quite a long period of time. However, contrary to common perceptions, this started as a means of helping parents to avoid the passing of genetic disorders or diseases to their offspring. However, Morales (2002) contends that in the modern day, these types of techniques are increasingly being utilized by couples so as to achieve family balance. For instance, if a parent has two boys, she might want to find a way of getting a girl in that process and vice versa. Comment by Michelle Krueger: Remember that you are trying to be persuasive in this essay. This just sounds like you’re reporting information.

Messner (2000) is also pro the argument that parents want to get children that they can be happy to be with. A good example is where a woman has given birth to boys alone and would want to have someone that she can play girl games with, go with to shopping and basically confide in them in future. That being the case, a parent can decide she wants a girl as her next child. She will go through all lengths to get the child of that gender regardless of the obstacles. Even if she cannot use the IVF method which is apparently quite costly, the use of data counting can also help. Messner (2000) supports the idea that science has proven that there are various ways through which the gender of an offspring can be influenced. Parents can use these options. Comment by Michelle Krueger: You make the assertion for the argument. Then bring in sources to back up your statement, not the other way around.

As much as the selection of gender has become a controversial issue in recent times, Messner (2000) appreciates the fact that there are ethical considerations regarding gender selection with gender discrimination being one of the most prominent concerns. This helps in building on the argument here that parents should never be allowed to choose the gender of their children. Storrs (2016) in this case appreciates the concern that parents are currently having about the gender of their children. That is why they are so much after vitamins and date counting. However, the core issue here is playing God. No one should play God and thus any parent who chooses the gender of his or her children is more or less playing the role of God.

Gordon (2012) still adds weight to this issue by arguing that selecting the gender of a child is inconvenient. It is inconvenient in the sense that it is not what God had planned initially for that child. As for the case of the child to be born, he or she might look like a scapegoat just in case something happens in its life. Therefore, the parents who are selecting the gender of their children are not being aware of the concerns of the child that will be born but are simply pushing through their own interests based on the needs of the current society. That is why Gordon (2012) says that a parent who chooses to spend close to $30000 to select the gender of a child is really not choosing life. That sort of a parent is simply choosing a lifestyle which in the end might not be helpful to the child.

The position taken by Browne is also worth noting in this case. According to Browne (2015), it is also important to understand the difference between gender and sex when analyzing this controversial issue. She contends that most parents would not desire a female or male child basing on genitalia alone. They will however want to have a child who is able to fulfill various social and cultural definitions of either girlhood or boyhood. Browne (2015) says that this then becomes rather problematic in the sense that it assumes that sex determines a child’s adherence to various gender-based behaviors and norms. It is important that these concerns about gender selection are well known to parents so that they can understand why choosing the gender of their children is just not right.

There are those who however feel that parents should be allowed to choose the gender of their children. For instance, Wilkinson (2010) argues that allowing parents to choose the gender of their children can help in avoiding gender-related diseases such as muscular dystrophy and hemophilia. In case where parents have linkages with ancestors who experienced these types of health concerns, choosing the gender of their children could be advisable. When parents are able to choose the gender of their children, they also tend to feel more proud of the offspring. That is why proponents of gender choice have been quite categorical in their argument saying that this will allow parents to better give birth to children that they will be proud of and be happy to raise along with their other children in the family.

Choosing the gender of a child from time immemorial has been the role of God. That is why the issue of parents choosing the gender of their children has become a controversial subject in recent years. It is important for all parties concerned to appreciate and understand the gravity of the issue at hand. This means looking deeper into both sides of the issue so as to know what everyone is saying. It is only by getting the views of the people on this issue that it will be possible to take sides and get to know why parents should not be allowed to choose the gender of their children. Comment by Michelle Krueger: Demarcus, you start off by noting some arguments, but then the rest of the paper is just a summary of what other sources say about the issue. Don’t forget that you are writing a persuasive essay. Lead with the arguments and use the sources to build them. You have good information here, but you need to organize it so your readers will be convinced.

References

Messner, M. A. (2000). BARBIE GIRLS VERSUS SEA MONSTERS Children Constructing Gender. Gender & Society, 14(6), 765-784.