Among the many celebrations in one's life is the birth of a child. As in every culture, the arrival of a new baby in the family is a cause of great joy for both parents. Because of the various ethnic cultures which make up America, the celebrations following the birth of a child may vary from one home to another.
In recent years it is now acceptable in America for the father to be present at the birth of his child. He can either just watch the process by which a new life comes into the world or even assist in the delivery. In recent times it has even become the vogue to have the mother deliver the child without the use of anesthesia. During pregnancy, she is required to attend special classes and to perform specific exercises to make the child's birth easier and less painful.
Although most births occur in hospitals, recently some women have chosen to have the birth at home with the assistance of a mid-wife or nurse. All of these new attitudes towards childbearing are attempts to approach a new understanding and appreciation of the miracle of birth.
Today when mothers stay in the hospital it is only for a few days after the birth. Then she returns home. After all, since giving birth to a child is a natural process and not an illness. It is not advisable for the mother and new-born baby to spend much time in the hospital. Choosing a name for the child also presents a challenge and many children are named in honor of a respected adult member of the parent's family. Often a child may be named after a grandparent or esteemed friend. The actual choice of a name may only come after a long deliberation and carry with it a great significance.
Once home, the new baby is given his own room which has been prepared for months in anticipation of his arrival. This is the baby's own room and from the very first day, he is on his way to becoming an individual cherishing his own privacy. Traditionally the room will be decorated in blue if it is a boy and pink, if it is a girl but these stereotypes may no longer hold true.
Over the weeks which follow, friends and relatives come to visit the newborn infant and they carefully scrutinize the child's features to determine if it looks like the mother or the father. Comments such as, "He's got your nose, but John's mouth!" or "She's got your eyes but Mary's chin" are quite common. The beaming parents are often flattered by the fuss.
Usually a month after birth, if the parents are Christian the child is baptized or christened. This is usually a religious service by which the child is officially accepted as a member of a church. The parents themselves may not be regular churchgoers but that need not be important. A christening is an official public recognition of the mother, father and child as part of the larger community.
Guests who come to the christening bring gifts in celebration and the godparents hold an especially honored position. The godparents who are chosen to stand as sponsors for a child bear a great responsibility. Their relationship to the child is expected to last a life time and some see themselves as second parents with moral obligations equal to parenthood.