Value of Mothers and Fathers
I will probably write in more detail about this later, but it's worth noting the recent article in USA Today that covered the fall of birthrates and the implications that will have on the future of the world.
Phillip Longman's book, Empty Cradle, is a fascinating read and very believable. He concludes that, unless secularists are given incentives, the future will belong to what he calls "fundamentalists" who are inspired by their religions to have children. As a liberal, secularist, Longman worries about this.
I find the implications fascinating. While intellectuals have been busy trying to solve various problems of the world, they have forgotten our basic work, to repopulate the earth. I have strong religious beliefs regarding this, but the economic and social issues are also very interesting. Europe has made a long-term blunder and its countries are in danger of losing their national identity, or will soon be in danger of it.
What is most encouraging about Longman's book is the need he expresses to give more credit to the value of parents and particularly mothers. It's clear from his conclusions that motherhood has been way undervalued. Hopefully that will be recognized in the future. Empty Cradle, is a fascinating read and very believable. He concludes that, unless secularists are given incentives, the future will belong to what he calls "fundamentalists" who are inspired by their religions to have children. As a liberal, secularist, Longman worries about this.
I find the implications fascinating. While intellectuals have been busy trying to solve various problems of the world, they have forgotten our basic work, to repopulate the earth. I have strong religious beliefs regarding this, but the economic and social issues are also very interesting. Europe has made a long-term blunder and its countries are in danger of losing their national identity, or will soon be in danger of it.
What is most encouraging in this is that people are starting to realize the great value of motherhood and fatherhood. There is no greater accomplishment.
posted by LBK @ 3/16/2006 07:15:00 PM
1 Comments:
Yes. There is nothing greater than being a good parent. On a micro and possibly macro level, nothing else can have a greater impact on the world.
The debate on overpopulation is very complex. If you read Philip Longman's book, you will understand it better. But irregardless of the population debate, mothers and fathers are still critical and by mothers and fathers, I mean those who rear children right, not just those who have them.
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