The Current Generation: A Generation Of Quitters?

Would if someone told you that you and your fellow earthlings were going to be participating in an experiment that could change the future of mankind: An experiment that would christen you the last generation on Earth by discontinuing all reproduction. Therefore, ridding the world of all environmental hazards and preventing children from being born into a life full of suffering. I mean why should we bring children into a world with natural disasters, killings, sicknesses, terrorists, wars and poverty? Why not participate in this great feat? A better, cleaner, healthier world at our fingertips. Oh wait! We would not be here to witness our home’s transformation if we were the last generation. What good does that do? The complexity of this controversial idea brings about the question, “is life worth living?”

Peter Singer, philosopher and writer for the NY Times, tossed around the idea in his head. Just because he was brave enough to put out his opinion for the public to see does not mean he is the only one brainstorming schemes that might come across as outrageous. However, many people have thought about it. When you first put our generation into perspective, it is easy to confirm that with all the advancements in technology, health and education, we have water its roots to grow to benefit the future of the human race. Those that remind us about the other taxing concerns our world faces besides the great developments are not wrong. The world today marks one of the worst economic points in history, therefore, making it knowledgeable that raising a child has become a trying effort.

After his article was published, comments and opinions began flowing like a raging river. Some commenters regarded Singer’s ideas as absurd and too extreme to even consider. Others agreed that refraining from having children or too many children could begin to decrease the colossal population and all of the damage it causes for our planet, making the easiest way out to die out. As a reader, my beliefs bleed through into the way I interpret this dilemma. I understand that bringing a child into the world today is a great risk. Not only to the planet, but to the child itself. I do not believe that the children of the future should be punished for the previous generations actions. They deserve the gift of life and the ability to live it to the fullest, just like every generation before them. The choice to have a child should not be made to cater to the world’s needs. Reproduction is a miracle given to mankind by God to expand his family he created on Earth. Consequently, those who believe they are conserving resources and saving the planet one day at a time by not sharing the gift of life with the future are no superheroes.

I agreed with a commenter of Singer’s article by the name of Sid. Life is what we make it. Although my family’s middle class life is extremely different and better off than a family struggling for food in a third world country, happiness can be found anywhere at anytime, even in the most unlikely places. Moreover, the world has always had its problems. It was never perfect. I don’t believe we are better or worse off than in the past. As a result, it is difficult to predict what life will be like in 5, 10, 20 or 50 years from now. People tend to jump to conclusions that just because it seems that were are heading towards a downward spiral means that we are doomed forever. Our planet has picked itself up off the ground many times before and we can do it again. The future is a blur of mystery as I see it.

God has a plan for all of us. Yes, I am biased by my beliefs, but our world was created somehow and can be taken away just as easily. We need to continue down our chosen paths and let life give us our destiny. There will be a day when the human race will evaporate from the soil we call our home. Why quit now? Why don’t we just enjoy what life has to offer us, take our jabs and punches along the way, and achieve something for ourselves. Everyone seems to be giving up, like in Singer’s theory, and deciding that letting our generation be the last is the best way to save the planet. What is the planet worth saving for if no one will even be here to enjoy its great prosperity?