Children's Day and the importance of independent thought
"I definitely don't want to become a parent. It's not my bag" - Hollywood actor Sam Rockwell, on November 11th, 2007.
It should be noted that Sam Rockwell's parents separated when he was a young child. He moved to San Francisco with his father, and spent summers in New York with his mother. Where that fits into his decision not to become a parent is anyone's guess.
This is because, children that grow up with divorced parents can either be apathetic to marriage and parenting, or vow not to end up like their parents and choose to build strong, healthy marriages.
The important point is the role of personal choice that isn't influenced by reasons which can be detrimental to one's decision to start a family. If you are yet to have children and the multitude of pictures you've been bombarded with today act as peer pressure, then you need to take a step back.
Parenting is a lifelong investment. One that ties up resources and can be very restrictive when one considers the opportunity cost. Contrary to what many think, it is entirely possible to have a fulfilling life without having any children; Mother Teresa or former CNN journalist Roland Martin serve as examples.
Anyone who tells you to have children simply because;
1) "God said you should"
2) "Your mates are having children"
3) "You owe it to your parents"
without considering your economic status, is not to be considered sympathetic to your well being.
With a 60% poverty rate in Nigeria that hits millions of our children the hardest, the last thing we need is more begging on our streets, or resorting to crime simply because they've been neglected.
We also don't need more families in financial struggle or ruin simply because they couldn't afford to take care of children they didn't properly plan for.
I've noticed status messages today saying;
"Every child is my child."
It's a very trendy thing to say on a day like this, too bad it's not more mainstream enough to make a difference where it matters.
Sam Rockwell is a hollywood actor that could easily afford to have a child. He chose not to. It's my hope that those of us that are yet to have children have the independence of mind to decide whether or not it is the best thing for us and the children we plan to bring (or not bring) into this extremely harsh world.
It should be noted that Sam Rockwell's parents separated when he was a young child. He moved to San Francisco with his father, and spent summers in New York with his mother. Where that fits into his decision not to become a parent is anyone's guess.
This is because, children that grow up with divorced parents can either be apathetic to marriage and parenting, or vow not to end up like their parents and choose to build strong, healthy marriages.
The important point is the role of personal choice that isn't influenced by reasons which can be detrimental to one's decision to start a family. If you are yet to have children and the multitude of pictures you've been bombarded with today act as peer pressure, then you need to take a step back.
Parenting is a lifelong investment. One that ties up resources and can be very restrictive when one considers the opportunity cost. Contrary to what many think, it is entirely possible to have a fulfilling life without having any children; Mother Teresa or former CNN journalist Roland Martin serve as examples.
Anyone who tells you to have children simply because;
1) "God said you should"
2) "Your mates are having children"
3) "You owe it to your parents"
without considering your economic status, is not to be considered sympathetic to your well being.
With a 60% poverty rate in Nigeria that hits millions of our children the hardest, the last thing we need is more begging on our streets, or resorting to crime simply because they've been neglected.
We also don't need more families in financial struggle or ruin simply because they couldn't afford to take care of children they didn't properly plan for.
I've noticed status messages today saying;
"Every child is my child."
It's a very trendy thing to say on a day like this, too bad it's not more mainstream enough to make a difference where it matters.
Sam Rockwell is a hollywood actor that could easily afford to have a child. He chose not to. It's my hope that those of us that are yet to have children have the independence of mind to decide whether or not it is the best thing for us and the children we plan to bring (or not bring) into this extremely harsh world.
Plan accordingly
Happy Children's Day.
Happy Children's Day.
