Motherhood is under attack

I believe that there is an attack on motherhood today.  Children generally aren't highly regarded in our society, especially infants.  In the past motherhood has been elevated to almost a Madonna type worship, but todays' society shows that there is a decline in our view of mothers and children...

Whilst waiting to see a doctor today, a young mother came in with a baby girl about 3 months old. Baby was obviously unwell and was crying loudly. Mother sat down with Baby over her shoulder, patting her back, but Baby was not going to be consoled. Soon Mother was as flushed looking as her crying infant, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

As I looked around me, I noticed that several patients were glaring at the poor mother. From the receptionists to a man who was reading a paper.  He kept looking over the top of the paper with a look of annoyance, and now and then tutted...sensing their disapproval, the mother got up and walked around the waiting room a bit... but Baby still cried.

I understand that the patients waiting to see their doctor were probably ill and the weather was extremely hot: 40C or 104F but to be so obviously upset at a sick infant and her poor mother is not right!  Children aren't valued by some and neither is motherhood!

A friend of ours went to England with his little toddler son.  Going on the Tube railway with his sons' stroller, he was shocked at the lack of manners and inconsiderate reactions of fellow passengers.... after all our friend had as much of a right to use the Tube as they did.  But again, the obvious resentment of children was there.

When I was first married to Chris, I used to work outside of the home for a bit to save a deposit for a home. I had to travel to Melbourne by train and tram each day and once again I saw the inconsiderate attitude fellow travelers had to pregnant women and women with prams.

Extremely pregnant women weren't offered a seat and people almost hissed at women struggling to get in a tram or train with a pram or children.  And little children clung for dear life on the trams seats, almost falling over with every rock of a changed track..... no one offered a seat or a hand to hang on to...

I know I am showing my age when I say, "In my day....." but truly, in my day, when I was having children, people were more considerate of those with young- either unborn or in tow. There was a different attitude towards the pregnant woman, and she was generally considered worthy of enough respect to be offered a seat on a train or tram...

It shouldn't come as any surprise really, because motherhood is under attack today.  And the effects of that attack are more far-reaching than just not getting a seat on public transport. The effects start at conception with often derogatory remarks on the announcement of another pregnancy and filter through to aid a decision or "choice" to abort that pregnancy.

Instead of congratulations, the new parents-to-be are often bombarded with concerned people asking how this pregnancy will affect their lifestyle or career chances. And thereby they cast a pall over what should be a happy time. One should not have to defend the decision to have a child, but most of us find we are doing just that when we announce our pregnancy...

Motherhood is under attack by a society that has lost the joy of procreation and child rearing. Our babies are inconveniences, our children are pests. There is a shocking increase worldwide of child abuse- and in a world of materialism, hedonism and godlessness, we need not be surprised.... We are becoming very adept at attacking and eradicating all things that God has said are good!

 © Glenys Robyn Hicks

'Lo children are an heritage from the LORD and the fruit of the womb is His reward.' Psalm 127:3