Published in the Roswell Daily Record June 10, 2009
Raising children
Dear Editor:
Esther Purkey asks (June 7), "What about the unborn baby, who has no way to defend itself or speak up for its own rights?"
Here are two comments for us to think about in connection with her question. I didn't write them, but I strongly agree with them:
1. "I think it odd, that what we don't talk about, is how to raise young men, so that they respect young women, and treat them and their bodies with dignity, maybe even reverence.
What we don't talk about is the importance of communication, and relationship building, and planning ahead for the consequences of your actions.
What we don't talk about, are the little children, who were born, not aborted, but are now sleeping on the street.
What we don't talk about is a fluctuating job market where parents work long hours, often for low pay, and have little time to actually care for their children, and instill a sense of self-worth which would largely defeat slippage into early, unplanned pregnancies."
2. "Until our society becomes pro-family, abortions will be popular. We have no national health insurance. Mothers are forced to consider whether or not they can afford another little one at the expense of the children they have. We don't have a good day care system for mothers who have to work. Businesses are not family-friendly, punishing people who take time off to care for often-ill children even to the extent of docking their pay. Maternity/paternity leave is skimpy and without pay. When our society isn't pro-family, pro-child, why should individuals be?"
Hoping that other readers feel the same ...
Ellen Wedum
Cloudcroft