I read this article today about trends that are occurring in modernized societies. Women are waiting to have kids. They want to focus on their careers and ‘enjoy life’ before they are tied down. They are finding though that it is more difficult to have kids later in life (especially if there were no children born when the mother was younger). The numbers of babies being born around the world have dropped drastically. Japan is getting very concerned because their society won’t last long unless the women start having kids. But the women don’t want to. They don’t even want to get married. I read this quote from the CIA World Factbook regarding the world’s population,
A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years.
We in the US are ranked at having an average of 2.06 kids. Now with the childless couples becoming a hit I can expect that this will decrease even more throughout the years to come. Why is it that societies are having less kids? Can we be so consumed with money that we look at how much it costs to raise a kid we shirk at having more than two or three kids? Could it be that we are so enamored with ourselves that we can’t and don’t see how much a blessing children are? Are we calling God a liar?? Psalm 127:3, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” KJV.
Male chauvinism is not what we think it is. Male chauvinism in a sense is thinking men are superior to women. When men and women think and believe that woman’s place in the home is meaningless and nothing is male chauvinism. When people think that to be successful for a woman means to have a career, that is male chauvinism. Men’s place being the protector and provider and leader is for men…to think that women should be right up there with them is misogyny (hatred of women). It is because of this, I believe, that birth rates are so low in modern societies. There is no room for children when women are busy conquering the world and being heroes. There is no room, patience, and selflessness because people now a days are about themselves.
I choose to stay in the home. I don’t care if I have kids or not. I will be labeled as a stay at home wife/homemaker/helper to my husband–because that is where God has called me (and all women) to be. I care more about what God says than what society says. God says children are a blessing so I will believe it and try to boost the 2.06 average (if the Lord blesses me with children). I pray that you too will examine your life and see where you can be a better wife to your husband, husband to your wife, and parent to your children. This life is but a passing moment. “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14. Let’s focus on what matters and what will last for eternity.
Article about Trends: http://www.mercatornet.com/demography/view/13613
World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2127rank.html
Disciple's Perspective 