Shock Value: Entry 215 "Child Birth: A Black vs. White Perspective"

So its been a minute since I have been able to truly write about something that most people see but don't really talk about. Thus, I feel compelled to discuss with you all today, "Child Birth: A Black vs. White Perspective." Now, if you have no idea what I mean by my topic today, I will elaborate now. What I plan to do in the following is describe the various "Perspectives" shared by "Blacks" when expecting a new child and "Whites" when expecting a new child. Now there may be a number of similarities, but in this piece I am going to focus on the 5 differences between the two races. Lets begin.

1) --"White" couples plan their children or child bearing down to the month and time of day to try for pregnancy.

--"Black" couples, if they are even a couple, usually have children unplanned and unintentionally.

2) --When a "White" couple finds out they are having a child, they instantly become elated and overjoyed. They immediately begin calling and sharing this good news with anyone and everyone they know.

--When a "Black" couple finds out they are having a child, denial, mild depression, disbelief, and shock sets in. First there is this verbal jousting conversation regarding who the father is and whether or not the baby should be brought into this world. This baby is kept a secret and until the time is right and some very important decisions are made the less people that know about this situation the better.

3) --When "White" people find out they are expecting, they are in no rush to find out the sex of the baby. They head over to the local hardware store to buy both blue and pink paint with the expectation that no matter what sex the child is, its a boy or a girl will be proudly displayed in the child's new room.

--"Black" people are more concerned about the sex of the baby. Most black men, while they may not be at all excited that you are having a baby, may find more solace in the fact that it is a boy. While "Black" women, just want to make sure that the baby is healthy. While they may prefer one sex over another depending on the type of relationship they had with their mother and or father, they just want the best for their future child. The room for the child is not so important, because if they are at home with mom, they may no longer have a room and if they aren't at home, they may be on their way back to the house with their parents.

4) --"White" people shop well in advance when it comes to baby clothes, toys, shoes, walkers, teething rings, etc.

--"Black" people wait on their baby shower. Just in case the father doesn't come around in time enough for the birth, at least the other single mothers around will gather together and attempt to provide the necessary items a new born may need.

5) --There is rarely an uproar for "White" people regarding who the father of their baby is or isn't. Unless its on Maury Povich. Depending on the woman, there are usually guys coming out the wood works to claim that they are the father of this unborn child. Their parents or the future child's grandparents are elated and can't wait to keep the baby for days, weeks, and summers to give the parents a break.

--"Black" parents usually have some sort of negotiation regarding who the father is or isn't. "Black" men may know very well that they are the father of the unborn child and will deny it out right, even after birth and beyond. Because "Black" parents know their parents aren't going to keep their new grandchild for extended periods of time, unless its absolutely necessary, "Black" parents seek out and employ GOD parents. These are people who generally are there to help provide additional personal/financial assistance to the parent or parents to be.

I could go on, but I won't. Now before you get your panties in a wad, I know all the aforementioned does not hold true for all "White" and "Black" people. Yes, there are "Black" people who do things similar to the "White Perceptive" and there are "White" people who do things similar to that of "Black Perspective." All things don't hold true for everybody. I write today, only regarding my "Perspective" and what I have been fortunate or unfortunate to experience. If the above does not seem realistic or true to you, feel free to ignore or leave this blog immediately. I am just sharing my experiences of "Child Birth: A White vs. Black Perspective."

~Colorblind Me