Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought. It’s generally categorized into different degrees, with the severity of the crime (and punishment) decreasing as the degree number increases. In jurisdictions where it’s recognized, 1st degree manslaughter often involves the intent to cause serious bodily injury, while 2nd degree manslaughter involves reckless behavior that creates a high risk of death. 3rd degree manslaughter is less clearly defined, but generally involves a reckless or negligent act that causes death. 

If adults bring a child into an environment where they know there is risk of violence and lack of food for the child (and the parents as well) – could that meet the definition of 3rd (or perhaps even 2nd) degree manslaughter? For decades we have lived with the publicity surrounding areas of famine and deprivation in the world. In virtually every posting we see ‘the children’. In cases of videos or film there is even a soundtrack with a sorrowful voice and mournful music lamenting a tragic situation – certainly the case today with wars in Africa and the Middle East. In many cases there is an ad so you can send money to help.

What is missing is anyone asking the question as to why children are being conceived when there is no doubt about the circumstances they are being brought into. Is this not reckless and negligent with a high risk of death? If looking at pictures is heart rending – what must it be like to watch the child you have brought into the situation die in front of you. What possesses a parent who sees other children dying to bring their own into the same circumstances?