In the book Unwind by Neal Shusterman, storking refers to a practice where unwanted babies are left on the doorstep of a family. The family that finds the baby is then legally obligated to raise the child as their own. This practice is named after the myth of storks delivering babies to families.
The concept of storking is introduced as a way to address the issue of unwanted children in a society where abortion is illegal. Instead of aborting a fetus, parents can choose to ‘stork’ the baby, leaving it on someone else’s doorstep. This practice is seen as a last resort for parents who cannot or do not want to raise the child themselves.
Storking plays a significant role in the story, highlighting the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. It also serves as a commentary on the societal pressures and consequences of such practices in a dystopian world.