Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life. (Dalai Lama)
It is quite, no, very emotionally demanding, following the news media, locally, regionally and globally. There is so much mayhem, most of which we inflict on each other and ourselves. While I appreciate that news providers may have a propensity to report on drama, misfortune, blood and gore, rather than comedy and the uplifting, it does seem that there is more of the former than the latter.
A major theme in the bad-news department is the dreadful plight of children. Children are the most vulnerable members of humanity, yet they seem to be at the forefront of abuse, neglect, famine, the consequences of war and general disadvantage. This is especially the case in regions and countries that face natural calamities combined with human stupidity. Poor, poverty-stricken, leadership devoid, backward places seem particularly prone to children enduring the worst of human madness.
The first form of stupidity is breeding at the drop of a hat. It never ceases to amaze me that people will breed more easily, with less thought, concern and planning, than buying a pair of shoes. Yes, it is simply irresponsible to keep producing children when the world is overflowing with humanity, and when parents themselves cannot care adequately for their offspring. It does not take a degree in economics to appreciate that limited resources get thinner every time a new child arrives. And, I don’t buy the developmental argument, that we need population growth to drive economic growth. Look no further than South Africa with its unemployment and underemployment of 30% (or whatever number you believe).
The first point of responsibility for the life and times of a child lies at the door of those who produce them. It is they who need to contemplate what kind of life they can offer a child, what kind of place they will grow up in, and whether they can assume full responsibility for them. In reality, it is too often not like this. Poverty-stricken individuals produce children who quite often never know their fathers, who melt away from obligation and responsibility after zipping their flies. Children may only enjoy their mothers briefly before they pass on from disease, leaving child-headed households behind, or placing an obligation on extended families and the community.
A further folly is that such irresponsible child bearers expect the government, and other entities and individuals to fill the vacuum of parenthood and the creation of opportunities for a better life. Surely, it is not my responsibility to take care of another’s children. Furthermore, the absence of a suitable environment to grow up in, the lack of proper schooling, and a dearth of opportunities to conduct economic activity will result in social and political instability. We shall all be victims of such conditions.
‘Child soldiers’ has become a modern phrase. Youngsters hefting AK-47’s taller than they are is now normal fare on our TVs. What is going on here? Where are the parents, schools, playtime? Where is hope?
When the media informs me that another child has been raped, abused, abandoned or murdered, I wonder where those parents were, are? Their delinquency is now visited on all of us. These same absent parents can waltz off and breed again. There is logic here?
At both micro- and macro-levels, a decision or non-decision to have a child, or half a dozen, does not affect only the two souls making it. There are consequences for the universe and all that is in it. It is a truism that none asks to be born, but once we are, we have a responsibility, an obligation, to do the right thing, and right for humanity in general. Adding to an overpopulated globe is just not smart, especially if the life of the newly born is cheaper than a plastic shoe made in Malaysia.
We would do well to take the advice offered by the Dalai Lama.
