Maturity and responsiblities.

How often people who want us to do something tell us: Where there's a will, there's a way. You can find time for it. Unfortunately, when it comes to certain things, there just isn't enough time for it. How is that so?

Well, a young mother's priority is her baby. She has to take care of it well. The duty belongs to her and her husband. They brought him/her into this world. They must care for it first regardless of other things which demand their attention. After the baby has been served and cared for, asleep and no longer needing attention, should the parents do other things.

Sometimes, parents find themselves unable to care for their child as well as should be the case. Perhaps, their daily food comes from a job and unless that job is done, there can be no sufficient money to buy food for the parents and their baby. In such a case, there is need for help from the child's grandparents or relatives. Arrangements have to be made so that the child still gets the attention it needs.

However, has people ever thought of the responsibilities that come with marriage? We have seen people marry even when the money earned by the two of them is not sufficient to support the marriage.

Sometimes, I wonder whether these people realise that when two young persons live together, unless their control over themselves is really good, it is just a matter of time before 1+1 becomes 3, if not 4 , 5 or 6. Here, I'm not talking about mathematics. I am talking about sex and two young persons of the opposite sex. Does the couple have the financial capability to support three mouths?

There was this report in the press pf a married couple with eight children living in a hut. The paper was pointing at their plight. Both parents were out of jobs and were dependent upon the neighbours for food everyday. Although we sympathise with the children and have to help them but the parents are obviously irresponsible. They do not have the maturity to understand the consequences of their actions. They are clear examples of some of the irresponsible and immatured people in our society.

With such immatured and irresponsible people around, it no wonder we face so many problems in our society. Where do we go wrong? Is it something the parents ought to have done? Are the parents exemplary examples? Did they ever give their children responsiblities when bringing them up? Did they discuss with their children the importance of responsibility in their lives?

Or is it the fault of education? Should we have more opportunities for children to be responsible for something in our schools? Or do we give up on those who seem to be lacking in discipline or responsibility?

What ought to be done to prevent such occurences? What do you think?