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Why When To Have A Baby Is Not Entirely A Matter Of Choice

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The question of when to have a kid might seem to be a modern one. For most of human history it might be thought that a woman had little choice. As a matter of course she would give birth nine months after her wedding night, but preferably not before. The common perception is that she would have had little choice in the matter.


Although emphasis in the past was on wanting to get pregnant, there is surprising evidence that contraceptive devices were used thousands of years ago. The forerunners of modern condoms were made of animal intestines and fish bladders. They suggest that contraception has always been a personal matter, even when demographic problems were inclined to be too few rather than too many human beings.

This is not the case in some parts of the world. There are countries where the population is made up of very young people. This suggests that choice in these countries choice may not be possible. The inhabitants are apparently oblivious of the fact that the Earth will not be able to sustain the human population increase indefinitely. They proceed to procreate and families of more than ten are common.

Age will always be a factor in the decision of when to get pregnant. In the West the age of marriage has risen from twenty-two in 1890 to twenty-six in 2010. If it is assumed that babies follow marriage which is the institution designed for them it would suggest that these ages are the best for procreation, but that it has slowly risen.

Reliable methods of contraception and enhanced career opportunities for girls may be factors that account for decisions to delay falling pregnant. This allows for career opportunities but also invites the risk of infertility and difficulties in falling pregnant.

In the First World the element of choice is now a reality within the reach of many individuals. Contraception is so reliable that pregnancies can be delayed. In many cases unmarried women may decide to go ahead and become single mothers without social disapproval or ostracism. Married couples are also in the position to plan parenthood around financial and career aspects of their lives. In many cases this can lead to really wise decisions.

There can be no doubt that fertility treatment has become a boom industry in recent times. Possibly male infertility or declining fertility in women in the context of career prospects are the reasons behind this. It has also to be considered that infertility problems that were previously thought to be insurmountable are now often solved in a greatly beneficial way.

Ultimately, the question is intensely personal. Whatever her marital or family situation, or the state of an overpopulated world, a woman now has the power to decide when she is ready to turn her world on its head by taking on the physical, mental, moral and spiritual challenges of motherhood. IVF treatment may overcome tremendous physical problems, and if that does not work adoption is an option. Whatever the case, the increased choice behind when to have a baby means that the question probably occupies the mental space of the modern woman more more intensely than it has ever before in human history.

1 comments:

Life-Quotes said...

Its not often that you find such clearness of depiction and range of ideas. Well written.