Just the Innocent Pawns

by Alyssa Ast

I don't understand the majority of my generation and their parenting tactics. Those who decide to reproduce, yet don't want to take on the role of actually parenting their children. They aren't willing to sacrifice their previous life to better their self for the sake of their children. As a result, the children end up suffering for their parents' actions because lets face it, in the eyes of many parents my age, their children are just the innocent pawns.

But children are so much more than innocent pawns, they are our future. Children certainly deserve more than the parents they are dealt sometimes, but society deserves more also. Because many parents lack the capability to put their children and the future ahead of their own wants and needs, their actions are put down onto us, to pick up the broken pieces of the home they left behind as a result of their lack of parenting.

Children don't deserve this. They deserve homes where they are loved, nurtured and provided a promising future, which is also a promising future for society. Our children are the world's future, and if we throw broken and damaged children out into the world, what will that mean for our future? Nothing but shambles and a slow progress to make the world a better place.

For every action, there is a reaction, not just directly in the broken homes of these children, but in everyone's home as there's a ripple affect throughout humanity due to these repeat actions of people who aren't willing to be the parent their child and society deserves. But instead, the children remain just innocent pawns in their eyes.

My children mean the world to me, and I don't mind letting my previous life slip away as I become the mother my children and society deserve. My former self hated children and didn't want to have children, yet 7 years later, here I am with 4 kids, and I wouldn't change a thing. This new me that once cringed at the thought of having to be around children, now empathizes and aches when I see a child being treated unjustly. It breaks by heart and physically causes my body pain when I know there's a child out there not receiving what they deserve. If I could, I would grab each and every one of those children and take them home with me to give them the life they deserve. But as my brother says, "You can't save them all." And he's right. I can't save them all, but I sure wish I could.

So here's my message people and my plea to my generation:

If you find yourself pregnant and aren't willing to be that parent your child deserves, there are other options. There are thousands of families waiting to have children of their own, but just can't. Do your child a favor and give them to a home where they will be loved and nurtured like they should be. Save your child and society the pain of having to cope with your inability to be the best parent you can be. Put your child first, even if that means, they aren't with you.