After refreshing on the materials given during the Engaged Encounter, I came across the section on Natural Family Planning. We were supposed to register for this course and would be called once a class starts.
As Catholics, we were told not to use any form of contraceptives as we are not supposed to be stopping life. Which means if God wants us to have a child, He will give us one. We should not stop any possible life form.
To many people, they scoff at this. Natural Family Planning means trying for a child only during a woman's fertile period. Hence if you do not wish to have a child, then either abstain or make love during her non-fertile period. That is why many will feel this is actually the most ineffective way because there will still be a chance of conception.
The thing is, not every woman has a very regular period. Of course it will be wonderful if the cycle comes on time, then it will be easy to plot which days to abstain and which days are safe.
But what about those whose cycles are not regular? How do they chart when they have no idea when the cycle may start or if there will even be any in the following month?
The rationale of using Natural Family Planning is to foster better communication and respect for each other. In other words, if the couple is not yet ready to have a child, the wife can tell her husband which days to abstain. Which means if he wears a condom or asks her to pop a pill just to have sex and not have a child, then he is not showing respect towards her since he expects her to satisfy him whenever he desires and not willing to abstain for her.
I understand the rationale completely. I do agree with it too. With the concept of Natural Family Planning, the man will not be able to do as he pleases with the woman since both the husband and wife have to practice it. Hence there will be no side effects from the pill or patch, nor reduced stimulation from wearing a condom. Both can enjoy their sexual experience to the fullest.
But just how feasible is this? As I have mentioned, not every woman have such regular cycles that they can plot exactly. For those with irregular cycles, how would they know they are safe or fertile? So there is always a risk there.
Having children is one of the most wonderful things in the world, but still, that does not mean we continue producing year after year. I love kids, but one too many is a headache too. So if we really do practice Natural Family Planning, there may always be a risk of having too many kids. Afterall, no matter how regular a woman's cycle is, there will be times when she plots wrongly too.
We have not been called for the classes yet as that will be when we learn much more about this method. Right now, I am for Natural Family Planning, not just because I am a Catholic but also because of the rationale behind it. Perhaps after going through the class, I may be more affirmed.
But whichever it is, I just leave it in the hands of God. If He desires for me to have children in the future, then I believe He will give me accordingly in His time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
As Catholics, we were told not to use any form of contraceptives as we are not supposed to be stopping life. Which means if God wants us to have a child, He will give us one. We should not stop any possible life form.
To many people, they scoff at this. Natural Family Planning means trying for a child only during a woman's fertile period. Hence if you do not wish to have a child, then either abstain or make love during her non-fertile period. That is why many will feel this is actually the most ineffective way because there will still be a chance of conception.
The thing is, not every woman has a very regular period. Of course it will be wonderful if the cycle comes on time, then it will be easy to plot which days to abstain and which days are safe.
But what about those whose cycles are not regular? How do they chart when they have no idea when the cycle may start or if there will even be any in the following month?
The rationale of using Natural Family Planning is to foster better communication and respect for each other. In other words, if the couple is not yet ready to have a child, the wife can tell her husband which days to abstain. Which means if he wears a condom or asks her to pop a pill just to have sex and not have a child, then he is not showing respect towards her since he expects her to satisfy him whenever he desires and not willing to abstain for her.
I understand the rationale completely. I do agree with it too. With the concept of Natural Family Planning, the man will not be able to do as he pleases with the woman since both the husband and wife have to practice it. Hence there will be no side effects from the pill or patch, nor reduced stimulation from wearing a condom. Both can enjoy their sexual experience to the fullest.
But just how feasible is this? As I have mentioned, not every woman have such regular cycles that they can plot exactly. For those with irregular cycles, how would they know they are safe or fertile? So there is always a risk there.
Having children is one of the most wonderful things in the world, but still, that does not mean we continue producing year after year. I love kids, but one too many is a headache too. So if we really do practice Natural Family Planning, there may always be a risk of having too many kids. Afterall, no matter how regular a woman's cycle is, there will be times when she plots wrongly too.
We have not been called for the classes yet as that will be when we learn much more about this method. Right now, I am for Natural Family Planning, not just because I am a Catholic but also because of the rationale behind it. Perhaps after going through the class, I may be more affirmed.
But whichever it is, I just leave it in the hands of God. If He desires for me to have children in the future, then I believe He will give me accordingly in His time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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