ACTIVITY (TOPIC #7)

A. Write a short essay entitled “The number of children I want” (15 PTS)

How many children are you planning to have? This is a question I've been pondering about
for some quite time now. Sometimes, when I'm contemplating about my future, I also ask
myself how many children I plan on raising. To be honest, I still don't know the number of
children I'll be having in the future. However, that doesn't mean I don't plan on raising "little
marks", it's just that I am not certain of the number of babies that I will be having or making.
Setting aside the previous statements, if I am given the chance to control the children I will
be having, I want to have three (3) sweet little angels in the future, preferably two boys and
one girl. I think this is the ideal number of children for a normal family. I want my eldest and
middle child to be a boy for two main reasons: (1) is for them to carry my name and (2) for
them to protect their little sister. I want my children to be really close with each other where
they can open up about their feelings and talk about all kinds of things without being
awkward. For that to happen, I also need to do my job, to educate and guide them in the
course of life by bringing them closer to God, teaching them how to properly address
problems in the family and in their life, and by teaching them how to properly
communicate. In general, I want to have a family that cares about each other’s' welfare and
has a strong bond and faith to God. 

B. (3 POINTS EACH)

1. Explain why people opt to have children.

To have or not to have children is one of the most important decisions a human will make in
the course of its life. For some, having a child means more stress, more expenses, and more
responsibility. However, there are people who still want to have children despite of all the
stress and exhaustion they will be experiencing once the child is born. For me, the main
reason why people want to have or opt to have children is for them to make a family. A
family where joy overflows and everyone is affectionate to each other. They want to share
the love they experienced to another human being. Another reason I think is for the fact
that someone will carry on their names and continue their legacy. Having a child can also
change a couple's life because it gives a newer and fresher perspective in life. Lastly, it is
human nature. It is normal for humans to procreate because biologically speaking, this is
how the humans avoid extinction. Bearing a child also means that you are enriching and
strengthening your marriage by committing to a huge responsibility.
2. State the importance of “Planned Parenthood”

In general, planning is a process of making plans for something. In terms of parenthood,

planning is an essential process. Parenthood is the state of being a parent. It also involves
the responsibilities involved you have as a parent. Moreover, planning parenthood is a
couple's "preparation step" in being parents. By planning parenthood, you will be able to:

- promote a woman's health and well-being

- improve the future of pregnancy outcomes

- give your child all the attention and love it deserves

- avoid danger to mother and child's health and life

- enable the father and mother to give the child its basic needs

- lighten the burden and responsibility of your wife/husband in supporting the family

3. Discuss how both parents can ensure that their children have the best possible
future.

Every parent in the world always wants what is best for their child. There are things to
consider if you want your child to have the best future. To ensure the best future for your
child, you can start to yourself by becoming happier, less stressed, and by having a more
optimistic view in life. This will make boost your drive to achieve success in life and it will be
beneficial for both your child and yourself. You may also want to consider the
neighborhood you and your family will be staying into because there are a lot of
environmental factors that can affect a child's behavior. You can also teach them basic
education at a gentle pace in their early ages for them to not have a hard time in
comprehending lessons in the future. You should also praise and reward them correctly,
teach them the correct do's and don'ts. Give them words of encouragement when they are
feeling down. Lastly, remain observant to their faculties (physical, mental, social, and
spiritual) and monitor them every single day because this will greatly affect how the child
will grow up.
C. Study two cultural perspectives (one Eastern and one Western) in child rearing and
treatment. Compare and contrast these two views. Use comparative table to compare
the two cultural perspectives (20 POINTS)

Comparing Western and Eastern Parenting

Western Approach Eastern Approach

 tend to be more
protective to their
 they nurture
children
independent children by:
- they are still with their
- making them sleep in
family until they marry
Independence separate rooms
- teens move out when
 parents expect
they are 18
obedience and
 individualism is positive
cooperation from their
children
 they don't push their  demand good academic
children too hard as they performance because
are highly sensitive to they believes that
Academics
hurting their self-esteem academic success of
which may lead to their children is the
underperformance in life result of good parenting
 children are encouraged
 make decision for their
to express their opinions
children very often
and make independent
 common for eastern
decisions
parents to use force or
Making Decisions  physical punishment is
punishments including
banned and if done, can
corporal punishment
be punished by the law
against disobedient
(they "ground" their
children
children instead)
 parents make huge and
 believes in personal financial and personal
fulfillment and the sacrifices to provide for
Give-and-Take pursuit of happiness their children
 usually takes parents to a  expects their children will
"Home for Aged" take care of them when
they get old
Fun and Enjoyment  allow time for friends  eastern parents would
and social events think twice before letting
their child attend a party
 because they feel more
useful things can be
done with that time

D. Research on quotations/statements/verses regarding “Responsible Parenthood”

(30 POINTS)

1. Write at least 5 from Ellen G. White and 5 from the Bible (3pts. Each)
2. Indicate the references (using APA Style)

Responsible Parenthood Quotations/Statement/Verses (From Bible)

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn
from it"

- Proverbs 22:6

"Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you
desire"

- Proverbs 29:17

"3. Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4. Like arrows in the
hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full
of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court"

- Psalms 127:3-5

"2. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain,
but eager to serve; 3. not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock"

- 1 Peter 5:2-3

6. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7. Impress them on
your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up. 8. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind
them on your foreheads. 9. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your
gates.

- Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Responsible Parenthood Quotations/Statement/Verses (From Ellen White)

 The standard raised in God's Word is set aside by parents who dislike, as some have
termed it, to use the strait jacket in the education of their children. Many parents
have a settled dislike for the holy principles of the Word of God, because these
principles place too much responsibility on them. But the after sight, which all
parents are obliged to have, shows that God's ways are the best, and that the only
path of safety and happiness is found in obedience to His will. (Ellen G. White, Child
Guidance, p. 233, par.4)
 To allow a child to follow his natural impulses is to allow him to deteriorate and to
become proficient in evil. Wise parents will not say to their children, “Follow your
own choice; go where you will, and do what you will”; but, “Listen to the instruction
of the Lord.” Wise rules and regulations must be made and enforced, that the beauty
of the home life may not be spoiled (Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 234, par.2)
 Never Tell Child, “I Cannot Do Anything With You.”—Never let your child hear you
say, “I cannot do anything with you.” As long as we may have access to the throne of
God, we as parents should be ashamed to utter any such word. Cry unto Jesus, and
He will help you to bring your little ones to Him. (Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p.
238, par.1)
 Parents to Be United in Discipline—The mother should ever have the co-operation of
the father in her efforts to lay the foundation of a good Christian character in her
children. A doting father should not close his eyes to the faults of his children
because it is not pleasant to administer correction. (Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p.
239, par.1)
 Combined Influence of Affection and Authority—Let the light of heavenly grace
irradiate your character, that there may be sunlight in the home. Let there be peace,
pleasant words, and cheerful countenances. This is not blind affection, not that
tenderness which encourages sin by unwise indulgence, and which is the veriest
cruelty, not that false love which allows the children to rule and makes the parents
slaves to their caprices. There should be no parental partiality, no oppression; the
combined influence of affection and authority will place the right mold upon the
family (Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 239, par.3)