“Kaya, diba sana, hindi ka nag-anak nang nag-anak?” Vice Ganda asks a contestant in a video clip from the noontime show It’s Showtime. “Kasi nahihirapan ka, at bukod sa iyo, nahihirapan yung mga bata,” she adds.
The Responsibility of Parenthood
The video clip, which has over 58,000 reactions as of posting, highlights an essential truth: parenthood is a commitment that doesn’t stop at the act of bringing children into the world. It should not be taken lightly. Parents—and even potential parents—must ask themselves tough but necessary questions before expanding their family, such as:
- Can I sufficiently support my children emotionally and financially?
- Can I provide them with a decent quality of life, one that they rightfully deserve?
Aside from underscoring parental responsibility, the TV personality also touches on the consequences of impulsive decisions regarding family size:
“Ikaw ba bilang ama ay magiging masaya [kung] makikita mong, ‘Yung anak ko hindi ko mabigyan, hindi ako makapagbigay, tapos yung anak ko hindi makapunta sa magandang eskwelahan, hindi matustusan ng pangangailangan. Kapag may sakit, matataranta ka.’ Gusto mo ba yun? Diba hindi?”
This statement emphasizes that inadequate planning and preparation before having children can lead to financial and emotional strain. Such challenges affect not only the parents but also their children. Limited access to quality education, healthcare, and basic necessities can hinder a child’s development and future opportunities.
“Kailangan maging matalino tayo sa mga desisyon. Kaya ko na bang bumuhay ng anak? At magbigay ng disenteng buhay sa pamilyang bubuoin ko kung saka-sakali,” Vice added.
Parenthood Is a Privilege
Ultimately, Vice reminds everyone that parenthood is a privilege, not a whim. It’s not something we do just to tick an item off our bucket list or to fulfill societal or familial expectations. Ensuring the well-being and future of one’s children is a sacred duty.
“It’s a joke, yung pagkakaroon ng maraming anak tapos hindi mo kayang bigyan ng disenteng pamumuhay,” Vice explained. “Dahil yun talaga ang unang responsibilidad natin bilang magulang—yung mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan yung anak natin.”
“At kung hindi natin kayang gawin, nakakalungkot yun para sa mga bata.”
Read here for family planning methods that are not the pill or condom.
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