Becoming a parent is often seen as one of the greatest milestones in a person’s life. However, becoming a parent is not something that should ever be taken lightly. For some, it’s a natural instinct. It’s something that they feel they are biologically and emotionally prepared for. For others, it can seem like a distant possibility that people may not fully grasp onto until it is thrust upon them.
This idea that parenting is a natural, instinctive role and is an essential part of life is something that simply isn’t true. That idea overlooks not only the emotional, physical, and financial toll it typically takes, but it also overlooks the current state of society. While it’s true that becoming a parent can be one of the most rewarding experiences of life for some, it’s also equally true that it can also be overwhelming.
Social media is a key aspect in our world that has greatly impacted parents and the following generations of children. And let’s not forget the pandemic and how its impact has changed how adults and children view the world. In times like those, it emphasizes just how demanding the responsibility of raising a child is.
If you can’t handle these aspects of parenthood, then maybe it’s time to reconsider whether you should be a parent at all.
Social Media
With the rise of the new digital age of social media, parents are often relying on social media to help or even to monetize off of their children. There are far more dangers to this and many parents have started to recognize this, but the damage is already done.
Unfortunately, there are many creeps out there that have access to the same information as you do. Being behind a screen, there’s no true way of knowing who’s there and for what reason. Now, I don’t say all of this to instill fear into others, but rather, to make parents and soon-to-be parents more aware of the dangers in putting your child on social media.
When your child’s face is posted on the internet, it increases the risk of their lives being put in danger. More particularly, if they are posted often and in common/identifying locations. Click here for more information about social media risks and tips.
Even as children get older, it’s still important to teach your child the dangers of the world instead of trying to hide it from them. That way they understand the harm that can arise from social media and can remain safe without limiting them to a box.
Children want to be free and want to explore and learn about the world around them, so keeping aspects of the world hidden from them isn’t the way to go. It just means they’ll learn from those who may not know much better, or they’ll learn on their own in an unsafe manner.
This is one of the key reasons why I believe if you can’t handle the responsibility of protecting your child and take precautionary actions in raising your child, then you shouldn’t have one.
What it Means to Raise a Child
Children are very complicated. Adults are complicated as well. But bringing a child into the world means you’re responsible for far more than just the bare necessities of food, water, clothes, and shelter.
There are people who thought they’d never be parents or didn’t want a child at the time but decided to keep it anyways and now their child is the best thing that could have ever happened to them. But it is a selfish act, regardless of your intentions. Hence why it’s important to recognize that raising a child isn’t something that everyone can nor should do.
It’s often said that the people who don’t want children the most are the ones who would be the best parents. This is because these people recognize the atrocities of the world and know that they can’t handle and/or don’t want to deal with raising a child.
Responsibility
The true responsibility lies in guiding a child through life and helping them navigate the complexities of the world. Parenting involves significant emotional, mental, and even societal responsibilities that go beyond mere survival. Watching the shifts in parenting methods over time, along with observing the outcomes in my peers and younger generations, has provided insight into how challenging yet rewarding raising a child can be.
Parenting is more than following intuition or relying on one-size-fits-all advice; it’s a deeply personal and evolving journey that requires knowledge, patience, and understanding. Not everyone is suited to parenthood, and it’s important to acknowledge when one may not be ready or able to handle the full responsibility of raising a child and that’s okay.
There shouldn’t be any pressure to have children for the sake of religious or cultural beliefs. It’s already an unfair world to live in, so why take the risk at caring for a completely separate life than yours if you’re mentally, financially, and emotionally unprepared for it?
Negative Impacts of the Increasing Population
Even with the rate of adoption increasing, the population is ever growing. And this negatively impacts the world we live in.
According to the Population Matters website, it says, “As the population grows, the demand for resources such as land, water and energy increases, leading to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and increased carbon emissions. The strain on the environment has led to severe consequences, including climate change and widespread habitat destruction.”
Many people don’t care or don’t realize just how significant this damage is to Earth, but it’s a factor to consider when it comes to introducing a child into the world. Giving life to a child and they’re being raised in an environment that is constantly being damaged doesn’t make much sense.
This is not to say that people should stop having children because the world is awful to live in, but it means that there should be far more consideration into how to raise your child and what you should do to be able to maintain your well-being in order to continue raising them.
Counterargument: Struggles Are a Part of Parenthood
Some might argue that struggles are simply part of the parenthood experience—that no one is ever truly “ready” for the challenges of raising a child, and that it’s through facing these challenges that individuals grow into better parents. They might say that it’s natural to experience difficulties and that these struggles teach important lessons in patience, resilience, and love.
While it’s true that parenthood involves growth and learning, the idea that struggles should be accepted without question overlooks the very real risks that can come with being unprepared. Struggling isn’t inherently bad. Everyone goes through tough times.
But in the case of parenthood, those struggles can affect a child’s emotional and physical development in ways that may have lifelong consequences. It’s one thing to face the typical stress of parenting and another to be unprepared for the monumental demands that come with it.
Not every parent has the support system or resources necessary to navigate these challenges. Many parents rely on extended family, community support, and social programs to help them raise their children. Without these resources, the struggles of parenting can quickly become overwhelming. People may not deem it to be necessary but as many say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world, the pressures of parenthood are immense. Yet, people often fail to acknowledge the enormous responsibility it entails. While parenthood can be an incredibly rewarding journey, it should not be entered into lightly. If you’re not prepared to handle the emotional, financial, and mental toll that parenting requires, it’s crucial to step back and reevaluate your readiness.
This isn’t just about you—it’s about the future of the child you would bring into the world. Taking the time to ensure that you are equipped for the responsibility of raising a child is not only a decision for your well-being but a gift to your future family.
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