Childbirth is necessary to continue the legacy of a bloodline. That is the first importance of giving birth and raising children. It is however important that children who must be birthed must also be cared for. In our society today, there are a lot of children who do not have the support or care they need to live a good.life from their parents. In most cases, their parents are also still children to their own parents. Hence in this topic, one must first state clearly who is a parent and who a child is.
A parent is an individual who is physically, emotionally and financially mature and ready to care for a child.
Whereas, a child is an offspring from the parent who is still being cared for in all aspects of life.
As long as a child is still being cared for, he or she ought to remain in that status and not assume the position of a parent.
The case around the world over population growth is a reminder that the human race is sexually active. Though, there might be cases of infertility here and there, the truth still remains that the human race is outshooting the resources available to live sustainably.
SUSTAINING POPULATION GROWTH CUM STANDARD OF LIVING IN NIGERIA
I am Nigerian. That's no more news. And according to the international record of repute, Nigeria is the capital of the poorest people on earth. This statistics must have been arrived at, following the number of Out of School Children, Pa Capital Income and so on.
The thing is that we have every resource in Nigeria to have the best nation in the world where citizens can be catered for and standard of living equitable with income but embezzlement of public funds and misplaced priority out of the people in the helms of affairs has caused us more deteriorating experiences than expected.
There are tens of natural resources, from columbite to asbestos to coal, to iron ore, crude oil, lithium, bitumen, gold, the list is endless. And to make the list is that we have arable lands where we can farm and have good yields but yet, government policies have worsened our case.
In my view, this is the reason why it seems like the population growth is causing overcrowding and that the available resources can not sustain the people.
The responsibility of taking care of children is not just for the government of the day, but they should provide an enabling environment where the people can thrive. Where taxation, low income, inflation and insecurity will not become a threat.
Individuals should also consider their pocket before attempting marriage or rearing children. We must come to that place where we draw a line to the kind of home we want our children to grow, the kind of school they attend and the kind of life we look forward to. This will guide us in our discussion in building a home.
We all need to know that the home is the basis for which society can be measured. If we have grown good children, then be rest assured that society will be a safe haven but if otherwise, let's not expect anything good.
Under-age pregnancies should be discouraged. Sex education should be taught, first at home before school. It is appealing to see children being parents to children. It is so absurd.
The biggest of them all is that laws must be put in place to control childbirth and the expectation of anyone who births a child. The responsibility of parents to their wards must be clearly stated. When this is done, it would help to control the teeming number of births we are currently experiencing.
Birth control measures like family planning should be put in the media. Parents who already have up to four children and are finding it difficult to cater for them shouldn't give birth to more. I understand the fact that in most families, due to the race to enlarge or increase, they give birth to children indiscriminately. Our belief should be that one child when we care for will bring glory to the family. Families should stop using the number of children as a competition.
Safe sex is another thing the government through its agencies give more campaigns via all platforms. When the government closes eye on the need to expedite work on increasing agricultural output and using public funds for public projects then it must be held liable if it cannot ensure that birth control is taken as a serious matter.
My plight here is that the right thing should be done. And when it come to children and the economy, each parent should "cut his clothes according to available materials."