Each generation appears to think that things would eventually get better..
In reading history, you see that one hundred years ago, and much further back, people were concerned with the same issues you're concerned with today. There have been wars, diseases, political problems, crime, economic difficulties, and uncertainty, and there will always be these things.
The difference is, we're exposed to everything all at once today.
Within minutes of a conflict breaking out thousands of kilometres away, it is right there in our pockets. We are constantly being distracted by natural disasters, economic crises and violent acts.... This means that it's simple to see the world and assume that having children in it is irresponsible and It's okay that some people do feel like that because When you see war destroying families, climate change threatening communities and costs getting high, you're asking yourself, "Why put another human into this?.... Yet at the same time, I don't think it's wrong to have babies.
I believe that Hope is one of the better reasons anyone continues doing so.
What if each of the generations that came before us had said, "This is too broken for children.What if each generation before us had thought, "This is too broken for children.
That could have been an argument by those who survived World Wars.
Those who have suffered from famine might have argued that.
The argument might have been made by those who have lived under colonial rule, dictatorships or severe poverty.
But they went on creating families anyway.
They never gave up on the future no matter how bleak things seemed and for this reason, we are here today.
I dont mean people should go and procreate indiscriminately.
I think there's a distinction between having kids when they're expected to be born and when you're ready to love them, you're ready to support them, you're ready to raise them responsibly.
Parenthood is more than bringing life into the world. It is giving life a helping hand to make its way through the world.
I think the real moral issue isn't whether or not people should have kids.
Whether they're willing to do the work that's necessary to raise them.
I have witnessed communities in Africa with tremendous problems and yet great hope. During tough economic times our parents and grandparents raised children. Some had less opportunities than we do today. But they knew that it might be better tomorrow.
It was a strong belief.
many of us wouldn't have got the opportunity to live our dreams if our predecessors wanted to give up on parenthood
I also believe that children are part of the answer to many of the problems that we have. Today the doctors that will create new treatments, the engineers that will make new technologies, the leaders that will change the face of society, and the activists that will fight for change are children.
With no hope for future generations, there is the danger that we will resign ourselves to hopelessness.
However, I do appreciate the reasons why others do not want to have children. Being a parent is very personal. Financial, health, climate changing, and societal concerns are valid considerations to make.
No one is ever to be compelled to become a parent.
But it cannot be said that people should feel guilty for wanting a family, either.
I don't think the fact that there is a problem means that human beings should stop reproducing.
It is evidence that humankind has still got some work to do.
There has never been a perfect world.
It most likely never will be.
But people have loved, built, taught, created and hoped throughout the ages.
Maybe that's why we're human.
So, every time I consider the ethics of childbirth, I always go back to one thing....
The world isn't fair, but hope is still a justification and Sometimes the act of giving birth to a child is one of the greatest expressions of hope.
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