elcomputo
May 2, 2004, 12:33 AM
Post #1 of 21
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I know the subject of large families and children having children has come up before. And I, and others, have remarked about the role of poor sex education in Mexico and the Church's encouragement of large families. These, no doubt, are big factors.
But it occurred to me Friday, after meeting an elderly widow who had lost her job with the university, that there is an even bigger reason for big families here: security. I don't know how much Mexico pays out to retired Mexicans or whether it pays anything at all, but I think it can't be much. The woman I talked to had no children and was in dire financial straits. I don't know exactly how old she was, but she looked to be at least 60, and probably older. I also know about a 70-year-old woman who is still working as a domestic because she had two sons who never married and turned out to be alcoholic bums dependent upon their ancient mother. And, of course, there are all the old women on the streets with their hands held out. I assume they are truly poor or they would not humble themselves that way.
Even when girls of 15 in this country get pregnant, their mothers appear to be rather proud of the fact. They seem eager to be grandparents. And, if you know that when you get old, your only hope is to be taken into the home by your kids (where you'll probably end up raising their kids while they work) or even your grandkids, why shouldn't you be eager?
Having had three kids who are pretty much spoiled ingrates and having to survive on my meager pension and my wits, I'm not so sure this is not a bad way to go. Of course, it doesn't do much for the problem of population pressure. But it sure helps make up for societies or governments that do not believe in (or can afford) safety nets for elders. The big problem, of course, is what happens to those people who never had children?
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