Persecution of Parenthood?

Last week, a friend of mine posted this article up on Facebook, soliciting a torrent of angry messages from those of us who decried this horrid display of one-sided journalism. 

If you dare to read, you're met with example upon example of why it's simply better, cheaper, happier, and less stressful to be a purposefully childless couple.  ARGH!

I understand the choice some folks make to forego having children.  I don't pretend to thrust the idea of children onto every couple.  That's ridiculous.  Some simply aren't responsible enough (financially or otherwise) to bring children into the world.  Some would like to take care of personal dreams before investing their time into raising a family.  Still others have reasons that I don't know or could ever understand.  I'm at peace with that, and it's their God-given right to refrain from having children until they deem themselves ready. 

What I am NOT okay with is the almost systematic persecution of parenthood.  We are constantly being portrayed as run-down, miserable and stressed out.  We are pitied, patronized or even victimized by others who made the choice to remain childless simply because of the perception that we have no lives other than that which is devoted to soccer games, tantrums or PTA meetings.

When I first had my son, I was treated rather poorly by several childless friends for not "hanging out" the way I used to (read: diners at 3am, or trips to grab sushi within 15 minutes of making the suggestion).  I was accused of "not being the same person."  I was accused of using my son as an excuse to not be social.  *Shakes head*  That makes me so angry.  Just because these particular people couldn't fathom the joy and fulfillment parenthood brought me, they warped it into something tarnished and disgusting... a chore or a ball and chain they'd never even think to be "stupid enough" to get involved with.

ARGH - that makes me so angry.  This despicable thought process is so entrenched... so pervasive in our culture anymore that vasectomies among younger men are becoming trendy.  How disgusting is that???  I simply have no words for this, I really don't.  It's just more proof to me that Satan has done wonders destroying the sanctity of both marriage and families.  We no longer value life, our capacity to share in creating life, nor ourselves as dignified creatures blessed with the gift of Life. 

Instead, we're looked upon as fools.  It is a sad, sad world we live in anymore.  Up truly is down, and right is now wrong.  Once again, I fold my hands in prayer for His Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. 

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