HOW MANY CHILDREN SHOULD A CHRISTIAN HAVE? (Pt 5)

Is it Feasible to Have Many Children in the Light of Modern Economic Realities?

People fear the idea of having many children because they worry about the practicalities, like how to take care of and provide for them. Some people go as far as to say that the earth’s resources are not enough for those on earth currently and that current “economic realities” make it unwise to have many children today.

Let’s delve into some of these “economic realities” and compare the quality of life then with that now. Let us compare the risk of having many children then and having them now. If these factors will affect modern economic realities, let us compare life expectancy, medical facilities, survival rates, and starvation, among others:

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1. Life Expectancy:

Throughout history, life expectancy varied widely across different regions and countries. Jews were among the most healthy due to their health and nutrition code provided in the scripture. But on average, life was short and brutish with the primitive conditions prevalent in the most advanced civilizations. Childbirth was far more risky and little regard was given to the length of life in light of slavery, war mongering, idolatry, and brutal dictatorships that abounded.

In recent history, on the other hand, in the United States in the 1960s, life expectancy was around 69 years. Today, however, life expectancy has increased significantly. Today, in the United States, life expectancy at birth is now over 78 years. In Nigeria, life expectancy at birth for males grew from 53.2 years in 2015 to 55.1 years in 2022, while for females it increased from 55.3 years in 2015 to 57.2 years in 2022.

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2. Access to Medical Facilities:

In bible times, access to medical personnel and facilities was non-existent and basic healthcare practices were often inadequate, with primitive medical understanding and technologies. Today, medical facilities and personnel exist in dedicated areas known as hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers. Advanced medical equipment and technologies are now available, even in remote areas. In other words, today it is easier to be healthy or receive help when unhealthy.

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3. Survival Rates:

In the past, survival rates for various diseases and medical conditions were lower due to limited medical knowledge and treatment options. Common illnesses such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria, and influenza, could be fatal. Today, survival rates have significantly improved with advancements in medical research, diagnostics, and treatment modalities. Many diseases that were once considered deadly are now manageable or curable.

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4. Starvation:

Starvation and malnutrition were prevalent issues of the past, particularly during periods of economic hardship. Food scarcity, war, poor agricultural practices, and inadequate distribution systems contributed to widespread hunger. Today, while food insecurity still exists in many regions, global efforts have significantly reduced the prevalence of starvation. Agricultural advancements, food aid programs, and economic development initiatives have helped alleviate hunger for millions of people all over the world.

In light of all these, one can say that economic realities today are generally better than they were in the past. While it is true that economic disparities still exist, and not everyone enjoys the same level of prosperity, still, the overall trend shows progress in terms of quality of life, healthcare access, and survival rates. If people with large families survived 4000 to 50 years ago, they can survive even better now.

Don’t you agree? I’ll say more on this in the next episode.