At one time having and raising children was simply a normal part of life and everyone was expected to contribute to the world's population and furthermore to God's natural law of replenishing the earth. However, in today's society, having and raising children has become an option needing consideration such as choosing a career, a marriage partner, or even whether to give life to the child or not.

Not everyone chooses to become a parent. About 5% of fertile American married couples do not become parents. Some see parenthood as infringing on their career goals or as an unnecessary or unwanted addition to their intimate partnership. Some may have doubts about their psychological or economic abilities to nurture or support children.

Others may know or suspect that their children might inherit a genetic disease. Still others may feel that they do not want to contribute to an already overpopulated world.

Giving birth to and raising a child requires major adjustments in the parents' lives. The career plans of one or both parents and the distribution of family resources - time, energy, physical space, and money - may change.

First-time parents may feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. The decision to parent should not be taken lightly. The years of parenting are often intense. However, you will never experience such responsibility, hard work, and intimacy as that involved in the growth and development of another human being.

Children do not ask to be born. Parents make that decision. Therefore, before committing to this decision, potential parents must be as certain as they can that their decision is appropriate for their life goals and that they have the means to care for their children.

Source from: Health and Wellness: Edlin, Golanty, Brown, 2002

© 2003 by AfroStaff