Violence Among Girls Increasing in U.S.

[Guest guest]

On Saturday, May 8, 2004, at 09:18 PM, Shyamasundara (das) ACBSP (Vedic

Astrologer) (USA) wrote:

>

>

>> Aren't you over simplifying?

>

> It does sound simplistic doesn't it? But feminism has many aspects to

> it and

> impacts society in many pernicious ways.

 

My intent is not to negate such impacts, I simply want to bring forward

my understanding both as a devotee, mother, child birth educator and

midwife. Every action brings a reaction, this is basic knowledge.

However the effects of conciousness during the primal year are too often

disregarded even by devotees. Narada Muni imparted knowledge to Prahlad

while he was in the womb. What are today's children exposed to during

pregnancy? Music videos just shy of being pornographic, violence, drug

use, illicit sex, have you turned on a tv recently? Are pregnant women

protecting their fetus from these teachings?

 

Whether garbodhana samskara is performed or not, are the children wanted

or "surprises" that are accepted, or refused. There are different levels

of elevation of consciousness, from praying devotees, asking the Lord to

bless their household with a child to those who conceive as an

"unfortunate" result of sex life.

 

> You mention "consciousness at the time of conception." Is it that 50 or

> 100

> years ago people in the USA were performing the garbhodhana samskara and

> suddenly they have stopped 20-30 years ago yielding so much

> varnasankara?

 

Judging by the morality of society 50 years ago, there has been a

difference of consciousness in humans being born over the last 50

years. It is interesting that ethologists are seeing a direct

correlation between the use of drugs during labor and birth and the

rampant use and addiction to drugs in our youth. A mother who chooses to

use drugs in labour is 4 times more likely to raise a child who will

become addicted to drugs in his youth. There has been no research done

(to my knowledge) on the impact of multiple sex partners, or violence

during pregnancy, however we understand, both from Prabhupada's

teachings and in the secular field, that children, while in the , are

very much conscious and aware although trapped in a body that doesn't

allow them to express themselves.

 

>

> So what has changed? Well one notable event was the rise of feminism in

> the

> 60s to present.

 

The introduction of drugs and even unconsciousness during birth also

started in the US in the middle of the previous century. Again I am not

denying that feminism has had an impact, only adding other elements that

impact the life of the children born today.

 

> The radical ideology of feminism is against the natural

> order (it is an ideology full of internal inconsistencies). They shame

> women

> who want to be stay-at-home-moms and urge them to take up careers.

> Motherhood is looked down upon, as is the maternal instinct. To balance

> their careers with family mothers leave their children in daycare

> centers

> often shortly after having given birth. This disrupts bonding during

> early

> years, an important factor pointed out in the link you gave us.

 

There is a trend by women to try to reestablish balance: women being

able to stay at home. Few women eagerly leave their newborn child. For

women to stay at home, they also need husbands who are willing to

provide for their families; this is also a problem in our society.

Women, at times are forced into apparent feminism as a necessity for

survival due to the irresponsible behavior of their partners. In my

professional field women I meet would rather stay at home but are not

necessarily able too for very long. Some women are pregnant because of

promiscuity, others truly were hoping to have found their life's partner

but he has left before responsibilities rolled in, other are married to

week men that have no sense of what it means to be a husband, provider,

protector. A few have the luxury to be able to raise their children at

home. The absence of extended family support, is also a problem.

>

 

> In the work place it is estimated that 30-50% of women have affairs with

> co-workers. These are often adulterous affairs adversely affecting

> families

> leading to divorces. Children are often conceived as well. (Varna

> sankara?)

 

Although two wrongs don't make a right, it would be interesting to know

how many men have affairs with co-workers or others.. To put it simply,

women are abala, they require protection; but are often taken advantage

of. It is imperative that boys be trained to respect all women as

mothers expect for their own wives whom they should not only respect but

also love, guide and protect.

 

>

> With no fault divorces in place in many western countries especially

> USA and

> Canada women are the main initiators of divorce today often for

> frivolous

> reasons.

 

No doubt there are many frivolous reasons for divorce. A man would

rather leave without initiating divorce procedures as a divorce means

either alimony, child support, or both. This is a very complex topic and

every case is different. Divorce has nothing to do with Krsna

consciousness, neither does illicit sex, wife or child abuse or neglect.

They are all here because of the power of Kali Yuga, and our too feeble

attempts at preaching.

 

 

>

> Interestingly since it is known that many wives have affairs at the work

> place it is now a routine procedure that the husband insists on DNA

> testing

> of children to establish paternity during divorce proceedings because in

> 20-30% of cases the children are not his. (Could this be varna sankara?)

 

Of course it is varna sankara in 20-30% of the cases at least. Could it

also be and attempt from the men to avoid child support that will

financially cripple them as they try to go on with their lives? Society

may be raising independent women but also irresponsible men. Which one

came first? There is a vicious circle created that worsens from one

generation to the other. The daughter of a ill-protected or abused woman

will have a tendency not to depend on men for her protection,

maintenance or guidance. While some may wake up one day and decide to

become "a feminist", others are, simply because they know no other way

to survival.

 

Yasomati dd

 

N. B.

Shyamasundara prabhu, regards from my husband and son.