Parenthood - Preparation is essential

BECOMING a parent is one of life’s great joys, but if that usually happy event is unplanned, or comes at a time of economic difficulty, then the experience can be very challenging.

In that context, yesterday’s report from the HSE seems a barometer for our times, with a third of women who gave birth recently describing their pregnancy as traumatic. This may be a manifestation of the times we live in, but the fact that nearly half — 44% — of those women did not plan their pregnancy raises all sorts of different, worrying questions.

Can it really be that, despite all of the developments in contraceptives and sex education, so many women — and men — become parents without fully considering the great responsibilities involved?

Parenthood is one of life’s sustaining and powerful motivators.

It is disturbing that nearly half of Irish people approach it without the kind of forethought required to prepare them for the great challenge.