Job Opening- Single Mother of Eight

As a native Michigander, I am an avid reader of The Free Press and specifically Mitch Albom's column, because I have always enjoyed and admired his writing. Today he touched on a subject that I think is important to note in this flash of TLC's popular 'Cheaper by the Dozen' phase, with shows like 18 Kids and Counting and Jon & Kate Plus Eight, currently their highest-rated show.   

Albom talks about the California Octomom who spun her eight newborns and no-husband, no-job and no help from her mother into a new home, countless TV talk show appearances and more baby nurses than you'd think are necessary.  Read his article here.

As an unemployed person actively looking for a job in Chicago, I can tell you that desperate times call for desperate measures, but this is just getting ridiculous.  As I scour craigslist for possible job openings, I often am tempted to click on those ads calling for egg donations, which can net you up to $10,000.  And that's a lot of money.  Until I remember how many injections are involved and how terrified I am of needles.  And that there would be a carbon copy of me running around that I had no control over. Scary. 

Anyways , even though I love Jon, Kate and their plus eight, it's their popularity that has spurred this influx of multiples.  They are on TLC for sometimes hours in a row with sponsored vacations, free hair plugs, free tummy tucks, lifetime supplies of diapers and unlimited juicy juice.   Not to mention that they've recently moved into their second new house since the youngest six were born.  But they are so cute and not dysfunctional-yet, at least. Give them a few more years in the spotlight. 

In TLC's The Gosselin's case, they were merely a unfortunate couple using In-Vitro Fertilization to start a family, whereas the Octomom seems so have used INF to induce pity-donations.  With the cost of IVF rising above $10,000 it's difficult to determine why someone would invest that kind of money into childbearing when there they have no job or income to support the children once they are born. 

It's terrible to think that instead of searching for a job to end financial troubles, some women turn to pregnancy and hope for 'hand-outs' like these.  Americans are typically looking for a short-cut and every pathetic woman that tries this route is not going to get her own TLC feature.  Shine enough attention on stunts like this and it's bound to turn into an epidemic.  

I can only hope that these fertilization clinics have regulations that liken those at animal shelters.  If we can require a fenced-in yard and background check before getting a puppy, how is this different?  Checks to ensure positive family support, the confirmation of an income and a safe and healthy home situation would ensure only serious applicants can take steps towards reproduction. Requirements would enable fertilization to induce pregnancy only for those who are financially, emotionally and physically prepared.