Hello classmates, I would like you to watch the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRGZOCaD9sQ
This video is about world water crisis. The reason why I want you to watch it because it aroused in me this idea that in the future we may not have enough water to survive, which as shown in this video, is already happening in some parts of the world. With an scenario like that possibly awaiting us in the future, and considering the fact that in some parts of our country lack of water has been reported, I've ended up agreeing with Hemingway's idea that having children in this world means condemning them to suffering, which is reflected not only in Hills Like White Elephants' implied, imminent event--the abortion, but also in one of the facts mentioned in this video--that "every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related-illness diarhea."
So I leave you classmates with the following questions: Do you think in twently-years time we are going to be able to live without caring much about or without doing something about water crisis as at least some of us do now? Supposing that in twently-years time in Chile we won't have enough water (which is perfectly possible considering the current state of affairs), would you agree that under such circumstances, having children would mean condemning them to suffering? Do you think everyone would be able to raise children under such conditions?
I look forward to your answers.
I'm impressed. Thank you Jorge for sharing this video.
ResponderBorrarI'm not exactly the kind of person that is concerned about water, so now I will change that unconscious behavior.
About your questions, I think that the water crisis will affect us sooner or later, maybe not in twenty-years time but it will. The second question, is very depressing, but I wouldn't think it twice, I wouldn't bring a child to a reality in which he/she wouldn't be able to grow up and be happy. I think that not having enough water for basics things such as hygiene and cooking, is not giving your child the essential things to have a good quality of life.
As you mentioned in your post, in Hemingway's work "Hills Like White Elephants" the couple rejected the idea of giving birth to a baby who was going to suffer in this world. So, sadly, his idea in this story is not so far from reality.
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ResponderBorrarI would like to make two points here. The first about the world water crisis, which is an issue that concerns me a lot; and the second one about the story “Hills Like White Elephants” that you mentioned.
ResponderBorrarIt is terrible to see how many people suffer from different bacterial infections as a result of drinking dirty water—which sometimes looks more like mud. Nevertheless, I think the problem here or the question we should ask—more than stop having children to avoid their suffering—is what are we going to do to recover the water? We can say that we are perfectly now since we have clean water every day, we can take long showers, cook, or even fill a swimming pool during summer; but we go mad if the water supplies are cut off for one hour. Therefore, we need to be conscious about the importance of the water. As you said, one day we will not have enough water to survive, and this is terrible, of course! But I consider that we are totally free to have kids as long as we prepare the world for them.
It is almost impossible to help the whole planet in recovering the water, but we can start in our houses: let’s take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing our teeth or doing the dishes, and I can continue giving examples on how we can help. I know there is still hope for a solution :) And if you do not believe me, there are some institutions trying to help the people who are actually suffering, watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vLj1O_KemE
Now, about “Hills Like White Elephants” I would like to say that I do not think that the couple were trying to “have the operation” because having a child means condemning them to suffering. On the contrary, I believe that they do not want the baby because the baby will make them suffer. They say, “That’s the only thing that bothers us. It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy,” referring to the pregnancy.
Probably, having this kid meant that they could break up or that their arguments could be worse—since they were already fighting and discussing about everything they said. The baby was separating them, and they thought that having the operation the problem would be solved. They were not ready to have a child: they did not agree on much; she was actually drinking alcohol, which is not responsible parenting; the woman was worried only about American’s love for her. And she thought that without the baby they would be happy again and the love would be the same as it was before.
I hope my comment does not bother you; it is just my humble opinion :)
Best!