A mother answering her child who wonders why she must prostitute herself if they are not so very poor:
'Child, be reasonable,' she smiles. 'Why should my downfall be your rise? Why should I burn in Hell while you flap around in heaven? In short, why should the world be a better place for you than it has been for me?'
~Michel Faber
The Crimson Petal and the White
Why should the world be better for our children than it has been for us?
That is indeed a terrifying idea! As a parent I must say that normally parenthood teaches people to become as selfless as they had never been before. When I became a mom, I all of a sudden knew that my child's happiness overrides everything else. I myself had a horrendous childhood and I know that I would put my life on the line just to make sure that my children never have to live through even a tiny part of what I did.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terribly cynical quote!
ReplyDeleteI think anybody that has ever truly loved somebody, the way many (dare I say, most?) parents love their children would want to spare them the hardship they've had to bear in their lives. That and what good would it really do me to have someone else suffering the same things I've suffered in my life? It wouldn't change the life that I've lived, and it wouldn't atone for my wrongs to bring somebody else down, so it seems so pointless, along with being so cynical, selfish, and spiteful. I wish people like this only existed in fiction... =/
Since I don't plan on having kids, I can't really answer that, but it does play into why I don't have kids. My boyfriend and I decided that we were perfectly happy with our lives and didn't want to make sacrifices (either with time or money) to have children. I don't know if that makes me cynical or selfish, but it does make me happy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's selfish to choose not to have kids if you don't want to make the sacrifices involved. I think it's honest. It's the people who *have* kids and don't want to give up anything for them who scare me.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 kids, and I have to say -- in this overpopulated world -- no one should have children unless they passionately, desperately want them (as I did).
I'm commenting as anonymous because I don't wish to reveal my identity since I don't know if you know who I am yet. I am your Secret Santa and was wonderin if you had received your gift. It was shipped out priority on Thursday the 10th.
ReplyDeleteLilly and Megan - I think most parents do feel "I want something better for my children"; I think that's why this quote was so terrifying and so memorable for me. It was such a unique - in a very negative way - idea.
ReplyDeletesoftdrink - There is nothing wrong with not having children. My husband and I have been married for five years, and together for much longer than that. People have been bugging us about having kids for about 6 years now. You just have to do whatever feels right for you.
Laughing Stars - Exactly! Too often we see people having kids and then neglecting them.
Anonymous - I just received the gifts yesterday! Thank you so much. I have a post about them scheduled for this weekend. I leave for vacation tomorrow and this is finals week, so I've been a bit behind on things. :) Again, thank you; I absolutely love everything.
Yikes.
ReplyDeleteWell since you now know who I am, I can comment using my account name. lol. I admit I was a little worried whether you'd like what I got so I'm really glad you enjoyed everything. I had seen Paper Towns on your wishlist and had heard it was a great book so I picked it up at B&N. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. :D
ReplyDelete~Briana
That is such a sad quote! Now I want to know what happens to the daughter!
ReplyDelete*shutter* May I never be so bitter as to want my children to suffer as much as I have.
ReplyDeleteJenners - Exactly.
ReplyDeleteBriana - Absolutely loved my gifts. Thank you so much.
Rebecca - You definitely should read the book. It was such an interesting and unique read.
Petunia - May all parents feel the same as you!