"Inventory/The Tokens" written by Christopher Turner was shocking and provoking. Never before would I imagine so many people would willingly give up their children. I was appalled to discover babies were treated with such disregard and little care, as if an item taking up space in the garage being dropped off at a local thrift store. I am disappointed in human kind to hear of this event. Given, I do not know the circumstances, economy, or culture of the time. However, from a psychological perspective, the universality of family seem non-negotiable.
Babies dropped off, if they survived, would probably suffer much mental and emotional turmoil in their development. Lifelong problems concerning trust and belonging would be likely. Just reading this my heart aches for any children dropped off at this hospital. The number of 16,282 is daunting and incomprehensible to me.
However, the notion of tokens left upon children is very interesting. It almost seemed there was more sentimentality associated with these small objects rather than the children themselves. Emblems of hope or memorabilia of a family once had, these tokens were high in value of their owners. Each was presumably very unique, if intended to reunite one with their true kin. I wonder as the babies grew into adults, whether these gifts brought life or sorrow to them, or if those without, suffered deeper feelings of abandonment.
Babies dropped off, if they survived, would probably suffer much mental and emotional turmoil in their development. Lifelong problems concerning trust and belonging would be likely. Just reading this my heart aches for any children dropped off at this hospital. The number of 16,282 is daunting and incomprehensible to me.
However, the notion of tokens left upon children is very interesting. It almost seemed there was more sentimentality associated with these small objects rather than the children themselves. Emblems of hope or memorabilia of a family once had, these tokens were high in value of their owners. Each was presumably very unique, if intended to reunite one with their true kin. I wonder as the babies grew into adults, whether these gifts brought life or sorrow to them, or if those without, suffered deeper feelings of abandonment.