Summary
Beyond exploring the personal experience of Martha Beck, a doctoral candidate at Harvard who got pregnant and soon discovered that her son had Down syndrome, the author of Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic comments on the larger society’s attitudes toward the choice of birthing children with chromosomal disorders. Throughout the novel, a fundamental shift in attitudes can be traced to the birth of Adam, and his interactions with others prove that he is the same person as anyone else and that his congenital disability does not make him deserve to live.
Societal Attitudes Reflected in Initial Perceptions
When Martha discovers that she is carrying a fetus with a chromosomal disorder, she is bombarded by a wave of prejudice and misinformation from the people surrounding her – nurses, colleagues, and family members. For instance, during one of her doctor’s visits, a nurse warns her that she will be unable to get a babysitter because no one likes taking responsibility for caring for a child with Down syndrome. Martha notes that the “doctors I would interact with for the remainder of my pregnancy disagreed with my decision; they would have considered it wiser to do away with the baby they were helping me protect” (Beck, 2011, p. 299). Not only is such a situation deeply awkward, but it also speaks volumes about the general society’s lack of understanding of a mother’s choice to give birth to a child with Down syndrome due to the multiple challenges it entails.
Even though Martha and her husband John’s families were not as brutal in opposing their children’s decisions, it was hard for them to accept everything because they wished well. For instance, John’s mother confided in Martha about the loss of her first and fourth babies, “neither of whom lived long enough for John to know them. I was comforted to know I was not the only mother who has ever grieved, but I was also amazed at my mother-in-law’s pioneer toughness” (Beck, 2011, p. 234). This interaction shows that every person has their struggles and that parents never want the same degree of suffering that they experienced to be inflicted on their children. It is hard to accept Martha’s choice because it has many risks that can lead to adverse consequences.
The Possibility of Cultural Transformation Toward Inclusivity
The birth of Adam, however, transformed the views about Down syndrome in the family because the boy brought a lot of joy to the family, and there was something magical about him. For instance, his auntie Annette, Martha’s friend, loves the boy very much and always wants to give him toy guns so that he can run around and “indulge [his] macho, antisocial tendencies” (Beck, 2011, p. 195).
Despite this, it remains unclear whether the same shift is possible in general society because there is a significant gap between people at large and families who raise children with Down syndrome. For a transformation to occur, it is necessary to bring children with chromosomal defects closer to society so that they can have as many everyday interactions as possible. Still, many parents fear this closeness due to overarching biases and misunderstandings (Enoch, 2023). Adam’s story shows that change is necessary but cannot be achieved without persistent fear and distance. Without systematic efforts to address the issue, it is unlikely that a change in attitudes will occur.
References
Beck, M. (2011). Expecting Adam: A true story of birth, rebirth, and everyday magic. Harmony/Rodale.
Enoch, N. (2023). A little bit extra: Why society must do more to end the stigma of Down syndrome. OECD. Web.