How many of us moms are sick of hearing about the woman in Florida who had octuplets, on top of her six children who are 7 years old, 6 years old, 5 years old, 3 years old, and twin 2 year olds? I know I am. So much coverage, even before the identity of the mother was released. And now that she has a name and a story attached, she is going through a similar vetting process that other famous (or infamous) mom's go through, the Hillary's and Sarah's of the media. The financial situation not just of her, but of her parents. Her educational and work backgrounds. And even her mental stability. What is all the fuss about? The argument has been made ever since Roe v. Wade, and even before, that it is the woman's choice. It is her body, therefore she has sole creative, and destructive power over the contents therein. Even the man and his swimmers have been taken out of the equation, apparently as is the case of this woman. If a woman has the sole destructive power to eliminate as many pregnancies as she wants, like it is a form of birth control; then why question a woman who decides to create over a dozen lives? Sure, she has forced her parents into bankruptcy to help take care of her growing family. Sure, she is unemployed and considers herself a 'professional student'. Sure, even her own mother threw her under the bus in a recent interview saying she is 'obsessed with having children'. But it is her right? Right!?!?
This brings up an underlying personal belief that just because you have the right to do something, doesn't mean you should. For example, just because you have a $5000 credit limit on several credit cards, doesn't mean you should max them out. Or just because the bank will offer you a 100% loan for an interest only mortgage for a home you can not afford, does not mean you should sign on the dotted line. Our country has run away with their liberties, to the point that our strengths are becoming our downfalls. Our free-market is imploding. Our social liberties are granting radicals on either sides free passes. It is not the government's responsibility to right this wrong. Nor the schools. Not even Oprah in all her glory can save us from ourselves. I believe the root of the problem is the deterioration of families and the teaching of personal responsibility. As moms, we have the ability to mold the next generation. It is our responsibility to do our part with our small units of the family to teach them what is right, and hopefully our kids won't repeat our same bad mistakes. And as for the new mom of 14, good luck.
5 comments:
I agree so much. It's agency and accountability. They have both become like four letter words and almost non existant...it makes me sad, and a little mad I won't lie.
I think it's so funny that you picked this beautiful picture of a mother and I picked a Simpsons dad nursing 8 babies! What a great example of the differences between our brains.
But on content we are alike. If you want to be what I consider socially and physically irresponsible and have 20 kids, then go ahead. Just don't ask for 2 millions dollar hand-outs afterward. Call it the Republican in me coming out. (Yes I probably have a conservative relative in me somewhere!)
She is a good example of the general state of the nation.
Isn't it amazing how detatched consequences are from your choices now? I read a quote from Thomas Jefferson a while back, and I'm paraphrasing, that when you make poverty too comfortable it takes away the incentive to work. In our best efforts to assure that no one in our country starves to death, we have programs like Food Stamps. But now, it has made people comfortable in their poverty. Same with consequences, like this lady. When you cushion their bad decisions, it takes away the incentive to make right ones. Very interesting.
Loved this post, and the new look! I agree with you 100% on this one. My favorite line is "Our country has run away with their liberties". So true. The issue to me is an overall lack of personal responsibility.
Again, it all goes back to the home. Doesn't it always?
heyy... SHE"S NOT FROM FLORIDA!!!
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