The size of educated Indian families seem to be drastically shrinking.The single child population is growing rapidly especially among the educated class. Why is that our generation has become so selfish and lost its ability to look into the future and see our societal responsibilities of contributing to increase the size of the educated population?
One of the arguments given by the pro-single child parents is that they can give all the material and emotional benefits to the child and not have to "split it" between the children. Material benefits is something entirely parent defined. If I think my child should be wearing branded apparel and have the latest gizmo's in their collection and be the ones to have "everything" that i think is "everything" then its only another kind of bad parenting and not ideal parenting. As far as the emotional quotient goes, with experience i can vouch that it can NEVER be "divided" or "split". It somehow miraculously multiplies.
On the other hand think about the benefits of providing siblings for our children. Its a self learning process for children and parents. Its a huge support system that they need once we as parents are out of the scene. Think about how they can learn to care and share through passive learning. Think about family gatherings (even if its the bollywood style!) ...more the merrier is the motto. Think about the times when the children find their partners and their new found family, they are bound to have at least a couple of moments in life when they would wish for the presence or support from their side of the family. Think about the space you get once the kids reach an age of semi independence. Believe me, whether its playtime, fight time, arguments or anything at all, they have their siblings for company and that certainly gives you some space(contrary to the belief that more kids implies less personal time)!
I certainly have bouncing board in my brother,though we live in two separate continents. I KNOW that when its the need of the hour he is there for me and my family. I cherish my childhood memories and most of them include him.
One of the arguments given by the pro-single child parents is that they can give all the material and emotional benefits to the child and not have to "split it" between the children. Material benefits is something entirely parent defined. If I think my child should be wearing branded apparel and have the latest gizmo's in their collection and be the ones to have "everything" that i think is "everything" then its only another kind of bad parenting and not ideal parenting. As far as the emotional quotient goes, with experience i can vouch that it can NEVER be "divided" or "split". It somehow miraculously multiplies.
On the other hand think about the benefits of providing siblings for our children. Its a self learning process for children and parents. Its a huge support system that they need once we as parents are out of the scene. Think about how they can learn to care and share through passive learning. Think about family gatherings (even if its the bollywood style!) ...more the merrier is the motto. Think about the times when the children find their partners and their new found family, they are bound to have at least a couple of moments in life when they would wish for the presence or support from their side of the family. Think about the space you get once the kids reach an age of semi independence. Believe me, whether its playtime, fight time, arguments or anything at all, they have their siblings for company and that certainly gives you some space(contrary to the belief that more kids implies less personal time)!
I certainly have bouncing board in my brother,though we live in two separate continents. I KNOW that when its the need of the hour he is there for me and my family. I cherish my childhood memories and most of them include him.
As such Indian population is expanding, but not proportionately enough to compensate for the increasing population in the lower and uneducated strata. I think its definitely to be considered a social responsibility to contribute towards making the nation a more educated one by increasing the population of this sector.
To those still considering on increasing the family size, I would say no second thoughts just go for it. At the end of the day it is all worth the effort you would be putting. To those closed to the idea , I would say, c'mon at least keep your windows open....
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