"HE THAT HATH CHILDREN"

CONTRASTING MARRIAGE WITH THE SINGLE LIFE, FRANCIS BACON, AN ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER 400 YEARS AGO, OBSERVED: "HE THAT HATH WIFE AND CHILDREN HATH GIVEN HOSTAGES TO FORTUNE; FOR THEY ARE IMPEDIMENTS TO GREAT ENTERPRISES, EITHER OF VIRTUE OR MISCHIEF." BACON WAS DEAD WRONG THEN. NOW CHILDREN ARE DEAD-ON EXCUSES FOR EVERY MANNER OF MISCHIEF AND EVERY IMPEDIMENT TO COMMON SENSE AND PROGRESS. THE MANTRA, 'FOR THE CHILDREN' MASKS MANY ILL-CONCEIVED, MISMANAGED AND WASTEFUL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. THE FARMER'S GRANGE COLLECTS SCHOOL CLOTHES FOR 'NEEDY' CHILDREN BUT NO NEEDY CHILDREN EXIST NOR WOULD THEY WEAR HAND-ME-DOWNS IF GIVEN THEM. POLITICIANS INVOKE FREE CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH CARE KNOWING THAT IT PROMOTES PARENTAL IRRESPONSIBILITY AND RAISES TAXES. EDUCATORS MUST POLICE SCHOOLS FOR SAFETY’S SAKE, BUT THE RESULT IS THAT WITHOUT IMPOSED DISCIPLINE AND MORALITY, SCHOOLS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER. A CAREER ADVISOR FOR YOUNG ADULTS SUGGESTS THAT A CHOSEN CAREER "MUST BE A WAY YOU REALLY LIKE TO BEHAVE," IMPLYING THAT STUDENTS NEED TO PERPETUATE CHILDHOOD FUN.

UNFORTUNATELY, PROGRESS' IN CHILD-REARING HAS RESULTED IN FUN BEING THE END GAME. JOHN LENNON'S UPRIGHT PIANO CAN REST ON THE LAWN OF VIRGINIA TECH ON ITS "MAGICAL, MYSTERY TOUR." WHY? WHY HAS IT NOT BE HEWN INTO TINY PIECES FOR CHILDISH FUN? WHY IS SUCH SILLY DRIVEL TOLERATED? "HE THAT HATH CHILDREN" TODAY HOLD REASON AND REALITY HOSTAGE BY WAY OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. HE IMPEDES GREAT ENTERPRISES. HE PERPETRATES MODERN, MORAL MISCHIEFS. HE ABANDONS VIRTUE. DITTO FOR SHE "THAT HATH CHILDREN."