In early May Pope Francis addressed the reality of birth rates decreasing in Italy and urged Italians to have more children. “It is important to work together to promote natality with realism, foresight, and courage” Pope Francis said, introducing the topic of tumbling birth-rates in Europe to his audience.
“Birth rates” he said, “are the foremost indicator of a people’s hope”. The Irish Catholic asked young Catholics what their opinion on this issue is and what obstacles, if any, they face in having a family.
Obstacles
Three main issues arose: Career, finances and their current priorities in life.
On the economical aspect, Shamin Fernandes, 28, said, “The main thing for me would be considering if I can support my children financially. Beside this, I also know how difficult is to get a spot in ‘daycares’ and how it needs to be booked in advance”.
Patrick Duffy, from Monaghan, points out “that the State should support those who choose to have children”, accentuating the importance of a “need for greater commitment on the part of all governments. ” As the Pope added on May 10, “for the young generations to be put in the condition to realise their legitimate dreams. This means implementing serious and effective choices in favour of the family. For example, to put a mother in a position where she does not have to choose between work and childcare; or to free many young couples from the burden of job insecurity and the impossibility of buying a house”.
“A stable community that provides spiritual, social and practical support is a huge contributing factor to the confidence we have in starting our own family”
On a similar note, Stephen and Orla, from Co Meath, said that they “agree with the Pope. This is a sign of hopelessness. A symptom of the broader spiritual crisis that Ireland is experiencing. As my fiancée and I look forward to building our own family, one of the most important sources of support that we have are our family and friends. We depend on our loved ones during our highs and our lows. Having a stable community that provides spiritual, social and practical support is a huge contributing factor to the confidence we have in starting our own family. Last year, the EU published the results of a survey on loneliness wherein Ireland was found to have the highest rating in Europe (more than 20% of respondents reported feeling lonely). This is undoubtedly contributing to the decline in birth rates. For people who feel such uncertainty about their own individual future, the prospect of raising a family seems unrealistic and daunting. The state and private sector can contribute to improving fertility rates through better family benefits, increased availability of housing and efforts to enhance people’s financial literacy”.
Sonsoles, 25, from Spain and living in Ireland, thinks that she “would only consider having kids if my economic situation is favourable and balanced. Also, I would not have children without a partner since I believe a family comes from the union of two people who love each other. And I wouldn’t like to have them ‘too late’ in life. In my early 30s would be the latest I would consider having kids.”
Perspective
On a more social aspect, Harry Fitzgerald told The Irish Catholic: “I think the whole society has been following the consumer’s mentality, even practising Catholics. There is even a consumer mentality towards children. People are making all sort of excuses, ‘I don’t own a house; I just started a new job…’ The average age of someone getting a mortgage is around their late 30s. And having kids is an extra struggle. It limits us of what we want to do daily. I don’t think the economic situation is a ‘bulletproof’ argument for not having kids. Some people don’t want to have kids because it is inconvenient for them, even in Catholic circles. If you look at the statistics, the largest families are had by the poorest people. The more a person is earning, the less likely they are to have a large family. Everything is oriented towards the material. Even some people who wants to have kids see kids as a commodity. People think ‘I have a right to have children’. They are not viewing the child ultimately as a person. It is separating the dignity to the functionality”.
“Also think money is a big deal, because having children is a life-long commitment”
Elly Westendorf, a 21 year-old student from the USA, said, “The main obstacle for not having children is”, in her situation, “being currently involved in pursuing a higher degree. It makes it difficult to find time for children. They require a lot of focus and energy. I also think money is a big deal, because having children is a life-long commitment. At this point I am not financially feasible for it, when I am paying college and paying for a rent as well. Socially, I think people are having children late in life and that they would like to travel or move to different places before building a family”.
“A strong birth rate is the prerequisite for society, and this is to some extent the cause for persistent relevance of religion in the broadly atheist west. History shows that a society which isn’t orientated around children will suffer”, Roman Cabay, a student at Trinity College Dublin, told this newspaper.
Hope
Is our youth hopeless? Most of our voices agree that a change is needed, socially and financially, to be able to facilitate an increase on natality rates. The standards when it comes to build a family are not exactly as they used to be in some cases. Also, It is difficult to guess how long it will take to see action being taken from our institutions.
Pope Francis concluded his speech by saying: “And here I address the young. I know that for many of you the future can seem daunting, and that amidst the declining birth rate, wars, pandemics and climate change, it is not easy to keep hope alive. But do not give up, because tomorrow is not something ineluctable”.
Young people agree with Pope – more babies will need more support
In early May Pope Francis addressed the reality of birth rates decreasing in Italy and urged Italians to have more children. “It is important to work together to promote natality with realism, foresight, and courage” Pope Francis said, introducing the topic of tumbling birth-rates in Europe to his audience.
“Birth rates” he said, “are the foremost indicator of a people’s hope”. The Irish Catholic asked young Catholics what their opinion on this issue is and what obstacles, if any, they face in having a family.
Obstacles
Three main issues arose: Career, finances and their current priorities in life.
On the economical aspect, Shamin Fernandes, 28, said, “The main thing for me would be considering if I can support my children financially. Beside this, I also know how difficult is to get a spot in ‘daycares’ and how it needs to be booked in advance”.
Patrick Duffy, from Monaghan, points out “that the State should support those who choose to have children”, accentuating the importance of a “need for greater commitment on the part of all governments. ” As the Pope added on May 10, “for the young generations to be put in the condition to realise their legitimate dreams. This means implementing serious and effective choices in favour of the family. For example, to put a mother in a position where she does not have to choose between work and childcare; or to free many young couples from the burden of job insecurity and the impossibility of buying a house”.
On a similar note, Stephen and Orla, from Co Meath, said that they “agree with the Pope. This is a sign of hopelessness. A symptom of the broader spiritual crisis that Ireland is experiencing. As my fiancée and I look forward to building our own family, one of the most important sources of support that we have are our family and friends. We depend on our loved ones during our highs and our lows. Having a stable community that provides spiritual, social and practical support is a huge contributing factor to the confidence we have in starting our own family. Last year, the EU published the results of a survey on loneliness wherein Ireland was found to have the highest rating in Europe (more than 20% of respondents reported feeling lonely). This is undoubtedly contributing to the decline in birth rates. For people who feel such uncertainty about their own individual future, the prospect of raising a family seems unrealistic and daunting. The state and private sector can contribute to improving fertility rates through better family benefits, increased availability of housing and efforts to enhance people’s financial literacy”.
Sonsoles, 25, from Spain and living in Ireland, thinks that she “would only consider having kids if my economic situation is favourable and balanced. Also, I would not have children without a partner since I believe a family comes from the union of two people who love each other. And I wouldn’t like to have them ‘too late’ in life. In my early 30s would be the latest I would consider having kids.”
Perspective
On a more social aspect, Harry Fitzgerald told The Irish Catholic: “I think the whole society has been following the consumer’s mentality, even practising Catholics. There is even a consumer mentality towards children. People are making all sort of excuses, ‘I don’t own a house; I just started a new job…’ The average age of someone getting a mortgage is around their late 30s. And having kids is an extra struggle. It limits us of what we want to do daily. I don’t think the economic situation is a ‘bulletproof’ argument for not having kids. Some people don’t want to have kids because it is inconvenient for them, even in Catholic circles. If you look at the statistics, the largest families are had by the poorest people. The more a person is earning, the less likely they are to have a large family. Everything is oriented towards the material. Even some people who wants to have kids see kids as a commodity. People think ‘I have a right to have children’. They are not viewing the child ultimately as a person. It is separating the dignity to the functionality”.
Elly Westendorf, a 21 year-old student from the USA, said, “The main obstacle for not having children is”, in her situation, “being currently involved in pursuing a higher degree. It makes it difficult to find time for children. They require a lot of focus and energy. I also think money is a big deal, because having children is a life-long commitment. At this point I am not financially feasible for it, when I am paying college and paying for a rent as well. Socially, I think people are having children late in life and that they would like to travel or move to different places before building a family”.
“A strong birth rate is the prerequisite for society, and this is to some extent the cause for persistent relevance of religion in the broadly atheist west. History shows that a society which isn’t orientated around children will suffer”, Roman Cabay, a student at Trinity College Dublin, told this newspaper.
Hope
Is our youth hopeless? Most of our voices agree that a change is needed, socially and financially, to be able to facilitate an increase on natality rates. The standards when it comes to build a family are not exactly as they used to be in some cases. Also, It is difficult to guess how long it will take to see action being taken from our institutions.
Pope Francis concluded his speech by saying: “And here I address the young. I know that for many of you the future can seem daunting, and that amidst the declining birth rate, wars, pandemics and climate change, it is not easy to keep hope alive. But do not give up, because tomorrow is not something ineluctable”.
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