It seems to be a common belief for many people that when you have children of your own, that your life no longer matters as much as the child's. People will say things like, "It's not about you anymore." or "The baby comes first now." or "Children are our most important resource." I agree to an extent that children are important and should be cared for carefully. I think children do need to grow up well in a loving and supportive environment, and that they deserve time to just be kids and not be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of adulthood.
What I don't agree with is that the wants and desires of children should always come before the wants and desires of adults. What are adults but people who used to be children themselves? Just because they grew up are their feelings and desires less important? Are they less deserving of having a happy life? Teaching children and helping them grow is important. But what does it teach them if we discard them as soon as the next generation comes along?
It is my feeling that all people are important regardless of their age, and all people should have a lifetime of growth and development. Children may need more nurturing, but that doesn't mean they are above all others. We are all continually learning and changing. If we teach people that children are the only important ones, we will be faced with a future full of jaded adults who thought that they were important once.
