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I was recently having a discussion with my daughter-in-law about the decision to make babies. It amazes me that there are tons of tests to be taken, degrees to be earned, permits to be gotten, and licenses to be applied for to do just about anything in our society. But when it comes to the most important thing two people can do, make babies, it requires nothing. Not that I'm suggesting that there be more interference in our lives from government. But it's the contrast that screams so loudly.

Raising children is the supreme activity in our society because it is the children who will grow up and become tomorrow's adults. Adults who can either be an addition to society or a burden and worse, a scourge. Sadly, most babies are conceived as an accident of a moment of passion. That's fine when the two people are in a committed, long-term relationship. But we all know that even then, the babies often come at inopportune times. Either it's too soon, there isn't yet financial stability, the woman can't stay home with the baby, or the couple hasn't had time to fully enjoy their new marriage. Having children is a huge undertaking and the state of parenthood should be entered into with a great deal of forethought, at least ideally.

But all too often pregnancy is an accident, as in my case. I was nineteen, first year of college, and stupid. Fortunately I got pregnant with a college senior who was a good man/boy. He was willing to marry me, he was able to create a financially secure life for us, and he was a good husband and father for the twenty-nine years of our marriage. But I was one of the lucky ones. Most don't fare that well. continued

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