Large Families...Where Did They Go?

This week, as you might have guessed, I will be talking about the decrease in birth rate over the years and its effects on society. It seems like nowadays the "ideal family" typically has about two or three children. This has dramatically changed from the early 90s and what was known as the "Baby Boomer" era. Back then, a family roughly consisted of three to four kids. What happened? Why have people changed their views toward family and how many it should consist of?

I think the utmost reason people are choosing to have less kids is because of worldly influences and societal norms. I believe the worldly view has become more selfish as the clock moves forward and time continuously passes. In my Family Relations class, we discussed the many different things we've heard from the people around us. Examples like, how you need to figure out who you really are, to "find yourself" before you devote your life to raising a family. How kids can weigh you down and hold you back from achieving dreams and goals in life. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with many more excuses for waiting to have children or even to have none at all, such as: traveling/exploring the world, being financially stable before having kids, or just waiting for the right time to have children. 

Contrary to popular belief, not having children will result in problems in the future economically due to aging populations. If there are no children being born, there will be no one to take over essential jobs or positions when people retire. The future generation, whether we like it or not, will be the ones to take care of us and this world.

For me personally, family is the most important thing and by far the greatest blessing given to me from God. I added a picture here (on the right) of my dear family. I would not be the person I am today without them; they have shaped me into the person I have wanted to become. I never truly knew how much positive influence my family had on me growing up. I've been so lucky to live in a two-parent household, with five older siblings and two parents who love and respect each other. Obviously, no family is perfect, but I really did have the ideal family situation growing up. Now I know that this isn't the case for most people, it's more likely for children to be born into single-parent homes. But the blessings of having a family far outweigh the negatives or "what if's" that could happen. I feel like so many people have forgotten this, have been blinded by social influences, or have just chosen to ignore it. I know I want to have a family of my own one day, not only because of the joy I have felt from my own family experience but also because I know families are a vital part of God's plan for His children. It is my sacred duty to raise children in love and righteousness. God has made it possible that we can be with the ones we love for all of eternity. It breaks my heart how things have changed, and the views of the family have completely flipped. 

Children are our future. It's as simple as that. We need the future generation for the sake of them and us. They give stability, hope, and most importantly, JOY! Of course, having children is a personal choice and probably the most important decision you'll make in your life. I just hope you saw the blessing and pure joy that comes from family while reading some of my thoughts. Whether a family is big or small. See you next week!