Posted on 01/07/2014 9:55:32 AM PST by NYer
Just had to say, I loved this comment.
I think a major part of the problem is the flight of jobs to other countries and the government’s debasement of the value of our currency. People who can afford to have children tend to have them. But if they not only can’t afford it, but fear for what little income they do have, they decide against having kids. I asked my renters, both of whom work at Wal-Mart if they’re going to have a second child. The husband told me, “There’s no way I can see a future where we could afford to raise a second child.” (They’re both sweet kids and I wanted to steer them into a bigger unit. I’m giving them a good deal on 1000 sq ft, but he’s right, they can’t afford a 3/2 even at the discount I’d give them for being such good renters.)
LOL
Oh.
Unlike the generation that came of age during WWII - or the Depression - or WWI - or the Worldwide Influenza Epidemic of 1918, or, geez, the Seven Years War - or the Hundred Years War - or the Black Plague - or the Barbarian Invasions (a.k.a. "Great Migration of Peoples") - or locusts, drought, floods and epidemics - or the annual Viking raids - or....
You, me, we can all thank 20,000 generations of ancestors who all, without a break, without one exception, decided to procreate despite everything, do or die, hoping for a future they could not see ahead of them, but could see in their children's eyes...
Your wife may have 100 ovulations left, and you can make the best of your chances by doing NFP. (I'm not kidding.) I hope one or two of your 100 million sperm will hit the Jackpot.
God be with you, and keep in mind that one of the greatest themes of the Holy is "Geriatric Maternity." Pray to the God of Hannah, Sarah, and Samson's mom.
I add my Amen!
Really, that is sad to say 20.
I was married a little after 10 to my wife, but then again, my parents were the kind that wanted me to get independent and live out on my own, so looking back, that was a good thing.
Life has always been hard and full of death and pain and possible disaster.
It was worse for our great-great grandparents, and yet they brought children brought into this world to struggle and suffer and die. Was it only because they couldn’t help it, or because they knew that’s the way life is and always has been, and still believed in something beyond the suffering?
” “There’s no way I can see a future where we could afford to raise a second child.”
—
It’s sad he feels that way.
I was born in 1932. My friends and I,all depression kids,did very well.
It took a lot of sacrifice on our parents’ part,but it can be done.
.
Personally, my wife and I decided we’ll do it. But much of what the world has to offer, we simply just don’t have to bring into our home. That’s what I have to say about family life now, and that’s the way it always should have been. Make the home more special, and more sacred, as you can than the rest of the world, that’s an available option, and a one worth taking, even in today’s world. I don’t judge the situation, and like I said, the best of your own abilities.
One thing the current generation of potential parents don’t consider is having kids actually SHARE a room. There’s the idea that if you have X kids then you need X+2 bedrooms. One for each child, one for the parents and a guest room.
These kids are at a big disadvantage when they get to college and have to actually SHARE a room with another human being. I was one of those kids. My roomie’s BREATHING kept me awake. I’d never slept in the room with anyone else before.
My kids share a room. They sleep through just about anything too.
You also have a family that will be at your side in good times and bad. The singles do not.
I live in a townhouse community with a large group of aging, unmarried and childless women. They all have dogs! What astounds me, though, is they have all recently redone their kitchens. None of them cooks, nor do they entertain guests. I coyly inquired as to why they were going to such great expense and was told "it improves the property value". Yet, none of them plans on selling their homes; if anything, each one is retired and plans to remain there until they drop dead.
It's truly sad, especially because they shelved the possibility of a family, in order to pursue a career. Now they are left with a dog and expensive kitchen.
I have five and our oldest two are having babies anytime.
On top of all of this, my wife and I talk all the time about how unjust would it be to bring a child into the world as it is? There’s so much death and destruction in our world now, and I feel like I would be helpless to make a child’s life great with so much devastation on the horizon...I will continue to try until her very last eggs, but even as we do, I can’t help but think I’ll be dying without any children at my bedside; and it makes me feel so empty.St. Gerard is very powerful. My m-i-l had eight!
My 18 cousins(both sides), all baby boomers; had 19 children. A 1.05 replacement rate. A population half life or 30 years. Sad.
Pretty soon it will be Detroit everywhere. Subdivisions back to farms, feral dogs and Muslims in the city.
This is despair and defeatism (and maybe a little cowardice). When was the world ever a just place? People these days are so unwilling to risk losing something that they don't even attempt trying to have it.
Happily ever after is not how the story ends in this life. Accept that there will be fear and pain and uncertainty and get on with living your life adventure while trusting God for the happy ending in the ever after.
Somebody’s making babies in Italy, and it ain’t Italians.
Good for you. These days, ‘average’ homes have at most 4 bedrooms. 1 kid in each of 2 rooms, parents in another and a free one for computer room, exercise room, game room, play room or guest room or combination of those. Heaven forbid guests sleep on a sleeper sofa or the kids crash on the living room floor and give up their rooms to a guest. Heaven forbid the kids actually share a room with one another.
I’m betting, I could be wrong, that you didn’t have seven bedrooms in your home?
This problem in Italy and Europe cannot be understated. I spend a lot of time in Milan. It is a novelty to see parents pushing a stroller for a walk in the park.
In defense of DINKYs. . .
Lots of folks should never have kids. Lousy parents make lousy kids.
Lots of people can’t care for children without destroying them.
Lots of people hate children.
Lots of people abuse children.
If you will love your children, make a bunch of ‘em.
“The answer to anyone who talks about the surplus population is to ask him, whether he is part of the surplus population; or if not, how he knows he is not.”
Easy.
Those who are not part of the surplus population, realize there is a surplus population.
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