Dry run for mums-to-be

I am referring to the article " Dry run for mums-to-be " on the home section of The Straits Times. This article is about a charity buying dolls which behave like real babies, to prepare unwed teenagers for motherhood, and get them to think about their ability to raise a baby.

Sanctuary House, a charity that reaches out to women facing unwanted pregnacies, has bought 10 of such dolls. The director of the charity's programme, Mr Noel Tan, said that a lot of mums they see have fanciful, unrealistic ideas about babies. They think, 'How difficult can it be to look after one'.

Indeed, many teens refuse to put their babies up for adoption because they think they can cope - until reality bites.

The charity believes that if these young mothers are prepared for the crying, night feeds and constant attention babies demand, they will be less likely to take their fustration out on their children. The volunteers take care for these unwanted babies while their mums decide whether to keep them or give them up for adoption.

The charity stressed that the charity is not a "baby drop, or a place to leave unwanted babies. The bulk of the pregnant women there give their babies up for adoption. For some, it is because the baby's father had left them; others have financial problems or are mentally ill. Among these mothers-to-be are a handful of teens who have been given one of these dolls to look after for a day or two. Many emerged from the experience saying it was a "scary but useful experience". They did not realise that a crying baby can drive one nuts, and sleep deprivation can do things to them.

Some professionals who counsel young unwed mums, however see pitfalls in using thse dolls. They were afraid the girl was so traumatised by the doll that she falls into depression and decides to abort the baby.

The charity plans to give talks at secondary schools on relationships and use the dolls to give students an idea of the responsibilities of having a baby. Sanctuary House's initiative comes at a time when counsellers are seeing moreteens grappling with sex and boy-girl issues.

In conclusion, I feel that teens and mothers should think twice before having a baby. They should try not to give them up for adoption.