December 21st, 2007
I just came across an eye opening article here. It is regarding the birth rate in the United States. For the first time since the early 1970′s we are actually above replacement level. We are having 2.1 children per couple in the United States. That is good news.
I have been throwing my weight around on Mr. Dawn Treaders blog and we got into a great thread about Human Sterilization and if it was pro environment. Check it out here. The gist of the arguement given was that having children was selfish because all we are doing is guaranteeing our genetic line will continue. It is a line of popycock, but interesting none the less.
I am going to venture a few thoughts on why the upswing. I am putting them out there and would love feedback. No haters, just give me opinion and/or well informed ideas.
1) With the influx of immigration (legal and illegal) from Mexico we are getting a lot of hispanic families. Hispanics have a much higher fertility rate, are usually Catholic and less inclined to using a pill to control fertility. In short, they multiply many times over again. They definitely leave a genetic legacy.
2) Women are being able to have babies much later into life. 10 years ago a 50 year old woman having a baby was a miracle, now it is a common feat. I do not always think a 50 year old having a baby is such a great idea, but it is interesting.
3) Attitudes about abortion are starting to sway in the right direction. the more and more medical science opens up the cell and sees how it is created, the more and more people realize that life is precious and it is not a throw away comodity. I am not walking around with scales on my eyes, I know it still happens, but it is less and less. Recent supreme court decisions have helped as well.
4) Churches are taking up the cause of reminding families to be fruitful and multiply. It was not a request, it was a command. Get married, get stable, have a few babies. If you are my friends Jon and Rachel Nagel you have a lotta babies. If you are Amy and I we are only blessed with one, but the command is there to have children. We know they are gifts from the Lord, who would not want to have a few?
O.K. here is my soap box issue. MEN… get off your butt, put down the Playstation and get your commitment phobic behind out the door and start hanging out. Not in bars, my momma always told me if you find’em in a bar, you will loose them in a bar. What I have seen in my 30 trips around the sun confirms it.
MEN, work on Biblical maturity. Read your bible, live it out, go out and look for a Godly Christian woman. I know LOTS of outstanding ladies who are waiting for a guy, but all the ones they know are the most immature wusses that I know. I would not recommend them to any of my Christian sisters.
MEN, do not be afraid of the marriage word. I know, you are a child of a broken home (most likely) and you are afraid that will be you. God gives us Grace and does not doom us to relive our past mistakes. Get out there and date and have fun!
O.K., those are two subjects loosely related, but hey, its my blog and I can do what I want to! Have a great day!
