Toward a Family-less Society?
Has technology made the family obsolete?
Let's pretend for a moment that there would be no such thing as families, and no marriage either; that a young woman, through advanced birth control methods, could elect to have a baby or not. Either she could follow mating patterns of common beasts, or with modern technology at her fingertips, elect to go the route of artificial insemination. Perhaps there could be catalogues that she could send for with pictures of males and with basic information as to their IQ levels, interests, positive traits as well as negative traits, so she could have a wide range of choice for the donor of the sperm for the child.
Once pregnant, the young lady could be cared for by a State-run system, and as she is able, could remain in her career through pregnancy. When the baby is born it would be whisked off to a Children's Center, where under controlled circumstances the child would be reared ideally to cultivate intelligence and the best attributes of both parents. If it were staffed properly, child development specialists could watch over the little ones and direct their progress.
Socialization of the child in such a Center would be no problem for there would be mobs of little ones to play with—they'd eat together, sleep together and have a jolly good time in these centers designed to bring out their best. These children could have special training in motor development with specialized toys and machines that measure the child's progress daily. Language development could be encouraged through vast laboratories that could teach a small one any number of languages perfectly in a fun and engaging way. Gender identity would take place through both male and female help, and multi-media could teach age-appropriate skills.
There could be plenty of loving and touching, too. All child development specialists know that babies and small children need lots of hugs and love. And probably it could even be arranged that the children could have the same specialists on a regular basis so that sufficient bonding might occur.
What advantages could this family-less society offer the human race? Think of all the careers that could be pursued with no need to worry about day-care. Think of all the fun adults could keep having, with endless romancing with no particular need to marry. Couples would not even be obliged to abort should birth control not be adequate. Child centers would take any children, in fact, birth control could truly be optional unless a woman would not want the bother of going through pregnancy and the birth process, only to donate the ensuing child to the State.
Think of the vast fortunes a male, and just as equally a female, could amass, through a life-time of not having to put money into children's clothes, food, educations, or health care. Think of the boats that could be bought, the education one could take in, the clothes, or the homes one could build. (Naturally, taxes would be levied at a higher rate, but no doubt one would still come out ahead.)
And of course, think of the advantages of no more interpersonal problems—no divorces would be necessary, no blame or hatred towards parents possible, and definitely no in-law conflicts. If employee-employer problems should crop up, one could always move to another job, or to another site. How simple.
This solitary self-sufficiency seems strangely naked and dull when compared with the rich love and belonging that God designed into family. The human heart longs to belong somewhere, and family is where one goes to be truly home. True, the traditional family is restrictive. But there is a genius in it that defies revision. Down through the ages attempts have been made to supplant the family. It still survives, endangered though it may be in many a culture today.
Family demands responsibility, accountability. There is a proper jealousy that guards its own and this is what makes one ultimately belong. This very responsibility offers satisfaction as its reward. A family, well-built, accountable to one another, feels a depth that is enriching and highly pleasing. But such loyalty is expensive. It risks hurt and put-downs, and ridicule. But it is a warming element that adheres a family to one another.
The whole bottom line to family is giving, a never-ending cycle of giving up: parents giving to each other, to the children; the children to each other, and ultimately giving themselves to their parents. Such giving with no motives for return is the essence of ministry—the gifts of self-sacrifice.
Through joys of family unity and sacrificial giving the Bible writers picture facets of our relationship to God. Truly our pictures of God are tied up with our family realities. As fountain and source of all human love, He tells us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you." [3]
In giving His beloved Son to the world, God has demonstrated His supreme love and self-sacrifice. The highest happiness for the family will be attained when its members reveal a similar commitment. Then the family on earth will be in tune with the family in heaven. A heavenly atmosphere will surround our homes and thus God's plan will be accomplished.