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Education and choice are crucial in the population discussion.  The knee jerk reaction is to reject an idea if it is not understood at an emotional level.

To gain more popularity with this issue, several key issues should be included:

1)  Quality of life for the entire family should always be mentioned. Each child will receive more attention from the parents and each parent, mainly mothers, will have more time and quality in their personal lives.

2)   It is essential to bring the churches along in this discussion.  Only once did I hear a priest speak of the importance of caring for the earth in his Sunday homily.  The idea of entitlement should be ridiculed.  Churches are a critical component in guidance.

3)   Perhaps the question each of us should ask ourselves is, “Why do I want to bring a child into this world?”  Just to satisfy grandparents, our partner or for the attention of having an infant, etc. will not be deemed as popular or sound if education and discussion persist on a global basis.  It is everyone’s responsibility to prepare to bring loved, wanted children into this world.

(Born and raised a Catholic, I’m aware of my church’s belief in the propagation of life.  My open minded, brilliant mother and some outstanding priests in my life promoted the importance of the use of conscience and choice.  Consequently, I have one son.  One child allowed my husband and me to nurture and give time to our son as we raised him.  We remain close and enjoy each other as a family today.  Our son is an independent 33 year old who is productive and contributes to the world. )  This decision has left us feeling very fortunate in so many ways.

As people are more comfortable with this discussion, it will become more popular to do the responsible thing.  By choice and education, people will choose to limit the size of their family.

Thank you for the discussion today.  Continue to educate and encourage.  It is a long, thankless road.

I hope my contribution has helped.  Leslie

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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