SLC-S29/W1 - "Thinking and Ideas!| If You Were in Charge!"

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If I were granted full authority to govern my community for 365 days, my first focus wouldn't be on building refineries, balancing the exchange rate or providing stable electricity. These are core duties of the government which are non-negotiable. However, to improve the quality of life and humanity, I'd focus on some sociocultural issues that have eaten deep into our DNA. The first on the list would be to address the cultural pressure to procreate even when a person isn't physically, economically and psychologically ready to nurture a child.

Why Choose This Issue Over All the Others?

I've observed that in some circles, children are seen as some form of social insurance for old age or as a way to prove their manhood or womanhood. The consequence of this mindset can be seen when you look around. You'd often see some kids roaming the streets, looking unkept and abandoned. Some lack basic necessities like access to quality education, good food, and proper healthcare. They are raised by those who are biologically capable but emotionally or resourcefully unprepared to be true mentors and nurturers.

Sometimes, I see kids who start fending for themselves and their siblings from a young age. They sacrifice their dreams on the altar of helping their younger ones "make it" first. I know a 12-year-old girl who wakes up with constant shouts to "come and wash plates". She's beaten for allowing her brother to spill water, not changing the baby's diaper properly or not completing 700 chores in one hour. It makes me wonder: when did we start confusing "teaching responsibility" with making children carry the weight of an adult's role?

Children raised this way grow up to become resentful, cynical, and constantly battling with anger issues because of the cycle of trauma they experienced.

I believe that the health of a society can be determined by how well the children are treated. As such, we need a shift toward seeing parenting as a deliberate, well-prepared choice, rather than just a traditional requirement.

The One Difficult Decision I Have to Make

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I would introduce a Family Readiness Support Programme. This would be a national policy where couples are encouraged to complete a preparation process before starting a family. This would include:

• Mental health counseling to help parents break cycles of trauma and learn healthy ways to relate to their children.
• Economic planning to ensure they have a stable foundation to provide a decent standard of living.

I would support this by making family planning resources and healthcare free and accessible to everyone. While this is a radical move, my goal is to ensure that every child born in my year of authority is truly wanted and fully provided for, sparing them from a life of avoidable hardship.

How I'd face the opposition

Naturally, this would face pushback from religious and traditional leaders who might see it as overstepping or unnatural. However, I would approach them with a different perspective:

• There is no honor in a child suffering or begging on the streets.

• True tradition and faith are built on the foundation of a father’s presence and a mother’s love.

With billions of people already on this planet, our focus should be on the quality of life we offer the next generation. We need more children born into stable, loving homes where they can grow into citizens who contribute to society rather than spending their adulthood trying to heal from a difficult childhood. This would be my priority if I held authority in my community.

Let me invite my Steemian friends @mkponke-ouwa @yhudy @chant to also share their thoughts as well.

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Entry published	18 January 2026
Organiser	@ninapenda