Have you ever felt the need for professional assistance as a parent? Have you ever feared that asking for help might be seen as a sign of inadequacy? For many, the answer is a resounding no. However, some might be quick to judge any mother in such a predicament. This scenario is a nightmare that no mother wants to imagine, and most would think that there are no circumstances severe enough to lead to losing custody of their children.
Let’s explore two different cases. One mother contacted emergency services for formula for her crying baby in the middle of the night, while another took her child to the ER due to worries about his hydration after consulting multiple healthcare professionals.
Can you guess which mother ended up having her children taken away by child protective services? If you thought it was the one who called 911, you might be mistaken. Let’s dive into the details of each situation for a clearer perspective.
Case 1: Anna Reed
Anna Reed, a white mom and social media influencer from Utah, has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram. In January 2020, she called the police at 2 AM because she had run out of breast milk for her infant daughter. With her husband away and four other kids asleep, she explained that medication had dried up her milk supply, and she had no formula on hand. The police arrived quickly, mistakenly bringing her a gallon of regular milk instead of infant formula. After realizing the error, they bought her the correct formula with their own money. Reed shared her experience on Instagram, and the story gained traction, receiving coverage from various media outlets. She was portrayed as a desperate mom seeking help, while the police officers were hailed as heroes.
Case 2: Maya Smith
In contrast, we have Maya Smith, a Black mother from Florida who has two children and is a former contestant on a popular TV show. Maya also faced breastfeeding difficulties with her 15-month-old son, whose fluid intake was a concern after her milk supply diminished during her pregnancy. After consulting three healthcare professionals, she took her son to a local hospital, where she was pressured to sign a document restricting her ability to leave until medical staff deemed it appropriate. Two weeks later, social services took her son, accusing her of medical neglect after a reported refusal of a vitamin B12 shot. Shortly after, her newborn daughter was also taken into custody.
These two stories, though rooted in similar challenges, produced vastly different outcomes. Many criticized Anna Reed for calling the police for help, while others rallied behind Maya Smith. It’s hard not to recognize the glaring disparities, especially from the perspective of a mother of color. The frustration and anger arise from the fact that these situations are not isolated incidents.
It’s easy to scrutinize Reed’s actions, but they reflect a larger issue. Her privilege allowed her to seek help from law enforcement, while Smith faced severe consequences for pursuing medical assistance for a comparable problem. The support systems for mothers and their children in this country are severely lacking, and mothers of color often bear the brunt of this systemic failure. The child welfare system, intended to protect families, disproportionately penalizes marginalized parents.
Critics of this system highlight the inherent racial biases that influence decision-making, particularly when it comes to child removal. Programs aimed at creating “color-blind” assessments have shown some success, reducing the percentage of Black children taken from their families, but disparities persist. In 2000, Black children made up only 15% of the child population yet constituted 36% of those in foster care. Today, that number remains troublingly high.
It’s disheartening to see these injustices overlooked, especially by fellow mothers. No loving parent should have their children taken away while actively seeking help. Acknowledging the privilege that comes with certain backgrounds can help shed light on the racial disparities in these cases.
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- Breastfeeding challenges support
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In summary, the experiences of two mothers facing breastfeeding difficulties highlight the systemic issues within child welfare services, particularly regarding racial disparities. While one mother received community support, the other faced severe consequences for seeking help, emphasizing the need for a more equitable system for all parents.