LESS IS MORE

“Family planning today will protect your family in the future.” One of the sensible quotes which uttered and left to us by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Indeed, it is a simple and brief saying but it delivers a million of messages.

Empowering everyone with information regarding all options available to all regarding family planning is vital. When I say everyone, it covers all people in all walks of life. All should have a knowledge on what family planning can offer and such thinking must be developed at home … in school … and in community.

AT HOME ... As we all know family is the basic unit of society in which having strong family would mean a better nation. In every household all members, young and old must be aware and oriented on the beauty of having small family. At this era, it could be helpful if parents have a realization about quantity in family members does not mean power at all.

Gone those days where every families have an average of ten in terms of number of family members. Yes, our grandparents then back those years had a thinking that their many children were their wealth.

Now, on this computer age or should I say, time of the millennials we cannot apply the same idea. We are now living on our sweet time where we are fully mindful about quality instead of quantity. We focus much our attention on the kind of life we have and we can provide to the family. Such idea can be realized if all family members entertain the idea of family planning. For some, they find it hard getting away with old thinking in which having a big family is happier than a small one. This can be defeated if we will divert our attention with these questions, where is happiness if one could hardly feed mouths? What life would it be if quality is not seen in the family.

Every home in the land should be responsible enough in building a strong nation through concrete and clear knowledge on family planning.

IN SCHOOL … I have a high regard about a school. It can really be a fountain of life. It is a potential catalyst for change and development. Because of it, Department of Education keeps on establishing lots of initiatives to take part in sending the message to the public. First to note is boldest and biggest move, the Kto12 which accounts so much in introducing even among young graders the idea of family planning.

Second, the integration of Sex Education in Junior High School curriculum wherein one of the objectives is to address teenage pregnancy and early marriage. Third, having contemporary issues in AralingPanlipunan among Grade 6 and Grade 10. all these and more make the offerings of schools relevant and meaningful.

With Kto12 Curriculum as early as Kindergarten, learners handle lessons that contribute in learning the core messages of family planning. Like for instance the learning competency about comparing two things or ideas that small and big families could enjoy. Having these said, it is a clear manifestation that a school is the perfect and wide avenue in instilling to the youth the appreciation of having small family through sound family planning.

IN COMMUNITY … it is always viewed as the people living In one particular area or having characteristics in common and practicing common ownership likewise it is about people who are considered as a unit because of their shared attitudes and interest.

With the above mentioned definition, community can be another strong and effective vehicle reprioritizing family planning which is an essential component of sustainable development and even poverty alleviation.

If all positive aspirations and inspirations can be found in the community, there will be never encounter problems and difficulties. Community leaders need to focus their attention or the urgency and importance of population issues. It should make its turn in giving access to safe, voluntary family planning which for me is a human right. Doing it, the community is addressing many and bigger issues in one move. Reducing poverty, gender inequality and gender biases can be arrest by family planning.

Based on statistics, there are around 214 million women in developing countries who want to avid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods, for reasons ranging from lack of access to information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities. It is truly a high time for all of us in the community to give family planning a chance in our system.

It is never too late for the entire humanity to appreciate having a small family that will guarantee quality life. Just like inside our classroom, if we have an average of 40 class size, learning takes place easily. Compare it with 60 to 65 number of students per class, teachers find it a pain in their heart crossing a day’s worth of lesson.

Come to think of it, investments in making family planning visible in the heart of every individual also brings economic and other wins that can propel development forward. Isn’t less is more?

The author is Master Teacher

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I at Sepung Bulaun Elementary School