８月中旬からハーバード大学客員研究員になり、ボストンに行きます。
１０〜１１月は日本。１２月から来年３月まで、またアメリカです。
そこで、英語で、“The opinion”のコーナーを始めました。
My opinion
Several weeks ago I read that Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura held a lecture at the university from which he graduated. During the lecture, he said,
“Marriage and children are people’s duty.”
Such comments make me feel uncomfortable. I don’t agree with his opinion. Marriage and children are not a duty but a lifestyle choice. There are many ways for individuals to fulfill their duty to society.
True, it is good many people have a lifestyle that includes children. Certainly we need the next generation.
But there are other individuals that choose different paths for their lives and they should not be criticized by government officials.
In a complex modern society, it is not helpful for Mr. Machimura to express such an out dated view. Would Mr. Machimura criticize Mother Teresa because she had no children of her own? Certainly she cared for many unfortunate and forgotten children.
I would like to ask Mr. Machimura “Do you think Mother Teresa failed to do her duty?
“I suspect he may make an off hand comment, such as, Mother Teresa was “special”.
One need not be famous nor have children to make wonderful contributions to society. Having children is a lifestyle choice. But those who choose not to have children still contribute to the next generation. It is easy to think of many examples: Teachers, doctors, scientists, nurses, among many others, all contribute greatly to our collective well being. If individuals choose not have children, it does not lessen their contribution to society.
Lifestyle is an individual choice.
2008.7.8.tue
