Every generation has had its own challenges, but sometimes it feels like our generation is experiencing too many at once. Another war, another natural disaster, another economic crisis, or another act of violence. With social media, the picture of all these is exhausting to see, it's easy to see that the world is becoming more difficult.
There is so much happening now and I'll say the most scariest part especially towards our children today is, insecurity. Parents worry about sending their children to school, while others fear for their jobs, their finances, or even their safety. And there are people are full of selfishness to make their own side work, careless for others.
With all of this happening, it's quite natural that this question arises: Is it ethical to keep bringing children into such a world? I think this question needs more of a thoughtful response than quick answers. I'll share my thought from both sides.
Those who believe it is unethical may say if it is unfair to bring a child into a society struggling with conflict, environmental decline, mental health challenges and more. They fear that future generations may face even greater hardships than we do today. These concerns are understandable. No loving parent wants to imagine their child growing up in such a world.
But here's another side to the conversation that I'd love to remind us, especially those of us who are yet to start preparing to bring our own kids to the world. Aside the fact that love and marriage will always happen in today's world and children are part of such union, here is another angle that we should consider to see that it is still ethical.
Children have always represented hope. Every family that welcomes a child is also welcoming new possibilities. More importantly, children are often the ones who challenge outdated ways of thinking. Many of the positive changes we see today happened because younger generations asked the difficult questions never considered.
Perhaps the next child born today will grow up to discover a solution that helps reverse the damages down. Another may create technologies that improve healthcare or education, someone else may become a leader who chooses peace instead of conflict. The point is, every generation carries the opportunity to correct some of the mistakes of those before it.
Personally, I don't believe the increasing craziness of the world should stop people from having children altogether. As believers, we know that God designed humanity to "be fruitful and multiply." That instruction wasn't given because life would always be easy. It was given because human life itself has purpose and this is one.
But then, it doesn't mean people should have children carelessly. Bringing a child into the world is one of the greatest responsibilities anyone can accept. Parents are to intentionally prepare themselves emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and financially to care for the lives they give birth to.
For me, the real ethical question is not whether people should continue having children. It is whether they are willing to raise them well. Perhaps we need fewer accidental decisions and more intentional parenting. The world may become better, or it may become worse. None of us can predict the future with certainty. But we can choose how we respond to it so perhaps we should ask whether we are ready to raise a generation capable of making tomorrow better.
Image used is AI generated.
