"Beyond" Babies?!
This "Newsweek" piece, "Beyond Babies," talks about the falling birthrate across the world -- which is attributable, in large part, to many people deciding they simply don't want children.
That's their prerogative -- and, for my money, if people don't want babies, it's better for everyone (especially the babies) if they don't have them. It is, perhaps, worth their thinking it through a bit carefully, though, and realizing that they are opting out of what's supposed to be one of life's greatest experiences (not to mention a gift from God). Still, to each his (or her) own.
Where the trend becomes troubling is when one starts detecting certain hints of overt hostility toward children -- for example, the story describes an Italian resort that promises that "Your Tuscan holiday will not be shattered by the clamor of children."
What's all that about? Weren't we all children once, dependent on the kindness of strangers? Why is it so difficult to cut a little slack for the little people and those raising them? For those who can't think any way but selfishly, just remember -- those little children are the ones who will running the world when you're too old to do anything about it, so we all have an interest in making sure they're brought up properly.
Besides which, they're fun (most of the time), they're funny -- and above all, they're a reflection of the divine. So have 'em or don't have 'em . . . but be kind to them all.
That's their prerogative -- and, for my money, if people don't want babies, it's better for everyone (especially the babies) if they don't have them. It is, perhaps, worth their thinking it through a bit carefully, though, and realizing that they are opting out of what's supposed to be one of life's greatest experiences (not to mention a gift from God). Still, to each his (or her) own.
Where the trend becomes troubling is when one starts detecting certain hints of overt hostility toward children -- for example, the story describes an Italian resort that promises that "Your Tuscan holiday will not be shattered by the clamor of children."
What's all that about? Weren't we all children once, dependent on the kindness of strangers? Why is it so difficult to cut a little slack for the little people and those raising them? For those who can't think any way but selfishly, just remember -- those little children are the ones who will running the world when you're too old to do anything about it, so we all have an interest in making sure they're brought up properly.
Besides which, they're fun (most of the time), they're funny -- and above all, they're a reflection of the divine. So have 'em or don't have 'em . . . but be kind to them all.
posted by LadybugUSA at 10:30 AM
2 Comments:
Wile is right on. I sometimes opine that I didn't start earlier and have a BUNCH more!
Absolutely CoP! I had MY first at 40. I tell folks if I was younger, richer and could keep the wife drunk long enough, I would've had a dozen. But I helped her raise her two girls when we started dating 24 yrs ago and they were 3 & 1. Now, the daughter we had together is 10 & 1/2.
But there is a definite attitude out there about kids that is disturbing. If it isn't poor parenting, it's outright abuse by parents to the point of death in too many cases. And of course, abortions account for much of any drop in the birthrates. Sad.
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