May no child lack love!

Commentary

A few years ago, I met a couple of college students in their twenties who, when the girl became pregnant, decided to get married with the full force of the law, a civil and religious marriage. I also witnessed how much criticism and comments arose from their decision: “It is the worst mistake; they are too young, it is not going to work. A child is no reason to get married.” However, come to think of it: is a son not a significant reason? Does he not motivate his parents enough to love him and love each other?

Perhaps they were right in thinking it was a risky decision and that they were not obliged to make it because of a child involved. However, to me, it meant an expression of generosity. They knew they had the seed of love since they cared for each other and were in love. This couple was also aware that making that seed grow and mature to provide the child with a family was worth all the effort and sacrifice. They put their child´s happiness above all else, and that will strengthen them to sail their ship wisely.

Faced with so many situations of unwanted pregnancies in recent years, the courage of those young women who, with or without help, have decided to take responsibility and move forward with the new life they carry inside instead of heeding the advice of those who tell them it is better and easier to rid themselves of the “problem” is also admirable.

Children are never to blame for their parent´s mistakes. There are no successful plans or careers worth more than a child’s happiness when he feels embraced and loved from the moment he or she was conceived. Moreover, for a child to be rejected when it announces its existence, for it not to be loved as a true son or daughter or having robbed him of the right to loving parents and a warm home in which to grow up is a brutal act of irresponsibility and unspeakable evil. We are so accustomed to those “crimes” against children, born or unborn, being committed every day that we do not realize the devastating effect they wreak on that infant. Intimate wounds – being unloved and homeless – that will last a lifetime for many.