Friday's Quote to Ponder
Well, two quotes actually:
"Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children. "
William Penn
William Penn
"Parentage is a very important profession, but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of the children."
George Bernard Shaw, Everybody's Political What's What? (1944) ch. 9. Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)
We need a license to drive, a diploma to graduate school, permits to hunt and fish, passports to leave the country, and in some places, even licenses for our dogs! There is no pre-requisite for having children, however. I've always said some people should not be allowed to breed. These quotes say it more eloquently. What do you think about our rights to have children? When China passed the one-child law, bad things happened. Infanticide, abandoned female children, people leaving the country. I wonder if, though, people in this country should at least be required to attend child-rearing courses before having a child. As human beings, God gave us the blessing to "be fruitful and multiply", but does that give us the right to bring children into the world when we're not prepared? I'd love to hear some imput on this issue. Have a great weekend!
3 comments:
Hi Misty-
I've often thought that myself, as I'm minding my own business shopping or strolling through the zoo with my family, then witness bad parenting at its finest. I cringe and feel the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I hear parents swearing at their kids or belittling them or (God forbid) actually hitting them in public.
Not that I'm perfect by any means (believe me, I've been known to use a tone of voice that can only be described as my demon within making itself known), but there are some people who just really should never have kids. And don't you think - down deep - these people know they're not doing such a great job?
I always feel terrible when I know I could have handled a situation differently, but I guess we all do the best we can. I could seriously benefit from my parenting classes myself, come to think of it!
I'm so not a perfect mom. I yell daily. I spank. I lose my temper. However, I think people can really tell that I WANT my children and that I love them and would give my life for them. When you can't see that in other parents, that's when it's sad.
I'm so glad you'll admit to not being perfect, too! I think us moms are under a lot of pressure (or maybe mine's all self-inflicted, I'm not sure) to handle things the way the parenting books advise...and it's just not that easy. And I agree with you - as much as I fumble in the game of motherhood, I love them with the ferocity of a mother grizzly bear. It's incredibly sad when you don't see that in other parents.
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