I just came across a video posted by CBS News on whether couples should have children. They first featured the Duggar family and their 19 biological children, and then focused on two couples that have chosen to NOT have children. And, they interviewed a couple of authors who have written books on the "pros" of not having any children.
The video states that children cost too much. The question is asked, why pay over 1 million dollars (which I do not believe is at all accurate unless you buy every new product available) raising this child when in 15 years he will just turn around and state that he hates you? Well....who says parenting ends at age 15? Or even age 18? Yes, children are human and therefore they are born with a me-centered sin nature but they bring SO much more JOY! Also, it is a negative stereotype that many have bought in to in thinking that all teenagers hate their parents. I never once remember thinking that in all my life. When you raise your child in the Word of God and take the time to teach them to be courteous and mindful of others, instead of focusing only on themselves, I believe you will not encounter children who hate you.
They also hint at the fact that couples who have children are doing so for selfish reasons. Now, I will be the first to admit that I have a problem with taming the Selfish Beast, and I in NO way think that people who do not have kids are selfish....but I do question why aren't BOTH sides of the camp considered to be selfish...or even selfless? A woman who devotes her time to her career and education is selfless in her endeavors, while a woman who devotes her time to caring for her husband and the children God has entrusted to her is doing so for selfish reasons? In our twisted society this makes absolutely no sense.
More and more families are choosing not to have children. In fact, the video states that this will soon cause a major problem in our country. The average number of children per family used to be at 2.1. It has now dropped to 1.9 and is expected to drop lower. They say eventually the country will look like Florida: a lot of old people on Medicare and Social Security, and not enough young people to work/care for them.
And yet, people are concerned with overpopulation. People (non-Christians and Christians alike) find it odd when a couple chooses to have more than 1 or 2 children. And they are looked at as downright weird if they share that they are letting the Lord be sovereign over the size of their family.
Personally, this information saddened me. It is my desire to have a large family, and I pray every day that God would bless me with more children (and to be patient and wait on His perfect timing!). However, I also have PCOS and I know that my road to having a large family will be filled with a lot of tears, questions, and complete surrender to the Lord.
Yes, having children is difficult, especially in the early years. But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love each and every day I have with my son and I know that God is going to use him-and the rest of my children-in mighty ways!
