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Grandparents Take Bribery to New Levels for a Say in Baby Names
Naming a child is a significant responsibility, but some grandparents are taking it a step further by introducing incentives to influence the choice of names for their grandchildren. A concerning trend has emerged where expectant grandparents are reportedly offering financial rewards and other valuable assets in exchange for naming rights.
As reported by the New York Times, this phenomenon stems from a desire among grandparents to preserve family names that may otherwise be forgotten. With millennials leaning towards unique and unconventional names, traditional names like John Jr. and John II are becoming less common. Some new parents are even hiring naming specialists to create entirely original monikers, prompting grandparents to up the ante in the naming game.
In an article by Alyson Kreuger, she recounts the story of Sarah and Mike Thompson, whose parents offered them $15,000 to name their baby after the family patriarch. Another new mom, who chose to stay anonymous, revealed that her mother-in-law inquired about how much it would take for her to select a name from their family lineage. Mary Lou Kingston, a naming consultant from Chicago, shared that she has clients who have been promised dream vacations or even a stake in the family business if they allow grandparents to choose the name.
While financial assistance can be a blessing for new parents, the idea of trading a baby’s name for monetary support raises ethical questions. The thought of a young couple feeling pressured to compromise on such a meaningful aspect of their child’s life for financial relief is disheartening. Parents should have the freedom to make these deeply personal decisions without the distraction of cash offers.
Naming a child is a thoughtful process, influenced by personal values and sentiments. Just as parents have their reasons for choosing specific names, grandparents also have their motivations for suggesting family names, but it’s crucial that this choice remains with the parents. Grandparents have already had their chance to name their children; now it’s time for them to embrace their roles as supportive mentors and cherished companions rather than exerting undue influence over such pivotal decisions.
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In summary, while it’s understandable that grandparents want to play a role in the naming of their grandchildren, resorting to financial offers is not the right approach. Parents deserve the autonomy to choose names that resonate with them, free from pressures and transactions. After all, naming a child is a personal and meaningful decision that should not be influenced by monetary incentives.