Which is which?

A vivacious family with more than five children; and a melancholic family with four members – composed of only two children: which one should a Filipino living in a Christian community would prefer? To live freely or to live in a lawful country that abides the right of each and every people?

Most of us Filipinos are Roman Catholic. Christians believe in Bible scriptures. And these scriptures give us tips in order to live in a meaningful life. If you are a Christian you will understand this, if not, for sure abortion and killing is never an option in your religion. In other countries like Vietnam and China, abortion is not considered as a crime. They live in a government-imposed law – the two-child policy. Each of the family in these countries is under a policy limit of two children. They are allowed to bear only two children per family. Their government thought that this law will solve their problem in increasing rate of population growth. And this policy is already discussed in our country. Do you think it will work?

Knowing the traditional family values of Filipino citizens, we consider each and every child our wealth and they even say children are the hope for our country’s prosperity. Our country is not as populated as countries mentioned above so why would the government pass such law that prohibits each family to bear large number of children? This policy is an anti-life movement not only because it contradicts the Catholic belief but also it affects the people’s life. There are parents who wanted to have plenty of children because they don’t want to be alone in the future when they grow old. There are families who prefer to have large number of members in order for their family foundation to be strong. They can provide all the needs of their children and they can send them to school no matter how big their family is. Perhaps these are families who are financially stable and considered well-educated. They are happy with it.

“The more the merrier” – It’s a common phrase for Filipinos like us. On the other side, there are parents who bear lots and lots of children in spite of their jobless lives. Talking about illiterate people in the country who doesn’t have enough knowledge about correct family planning, who do you think are the ones suffering? – The children. Although these kids aren’t attending school, they still are part of our community. Lots of them have done countless good deeds. They strive for their dreams in spite of the difficulty of life. The children are indeed the heroes. They are the ones who are strong, who struggle to aim the best. They are brave enough to face their lives every day, smiling innocently, wishing for good luck to knock on their door house. Amidst their unfavorable life, these families who have lots of children, as long as they keep their faith, were still able to give meaning to their lives. They are contented with it.

It is just too inhuman to hinder these people’s smiles and happiness. I don’t think two-child policy will work in our country. Considering that there are lots of churches and religious communities opposing, even those people who wanted to enjoy big family, this policy should not be implemented. The government wanted to pass this two-child policy in order to control our population yet they continuously say “Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan”. Right now it is in your hands to judge which story do

you prefer? — The one with the child-bearing provision or this long-time motto they proudly say in every public speech they make?