poverty
(Yes, the original pre-Monty Python and yes, it is Tim Brooke-Taylor from The Goodies!)
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it can also be distorted. I grew up in a typically middle class family. We had enough, but perhaps not excess. We certainly didn’t live in a rolled up newspaper! Times are tough at present, however we are not ‘extremely poor’ as in the definition of poverty. Yes, I live from pay day to pay day and usually have to make arrangements to pay off bills over time. When unexpected bills arrive, I stress, but then I find a way of getting by.
I am fortunate to have the support of family who help out with the kids’ expenses. Whilst I can’t give them everything they want, I hope they will grow up thinking of what they had, rather than what they didn’t have.
I am always telling the kids we are rich in so many ways, and for fears of turning into a Yorkshireman, I can focus on what can be done for others to help ease their impoverishment.
For all my enmeshment in new media occasionally I like to get my hand on something analogue. My choice is often The Big Issue, partially because it is not sold up here and when I do get it I have time to sit and read it, but also because it is a micro-business designed to help people get back on their feet. Not only do I get a great read, but I am helping the vendor from whom I purchased the magazine.
The other way to help stop the spread of poverty is a topic very close to my heart- breastfeeding. If only people accepted that breastfeeding is the natural and normal way to feed a baby then so many issues could be addressed. Breastfeeding has a positive impact on the baby, the mother and the environment. It is the source of food designed for the baby. It changes to meet the needs of the baby and it is always sterile. It helps protect the mother against breast cancer and osteoporosis and saves her time and money. This is not only the money for purchasing artificial formula, equipment and paraphernalia, but also the health costs- breastfed babies have fewer illnesses and are less likely to develop chronic illnesses such as asthma and juvenile diabetes which cost the taxpayers money. And also for the environment- processing costs, packaging and fuel costs in production and preparation.
And the good news is that with education and support the majority of women can breastfeed, even those in malnourished parts of the world. By upholding the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code) we can help promote that breastfeeding is the normal way to feed infants and the implications of not breastfeeding can lead to hardship. If you are pregnant, or know someone who is, tell them to attend a Breastfeeding Education Class in their area. If you are having troubles breastfeeding, ask for help. The simple act of breastfeeding your child can have an immense economic benefit. Just do it!
Tags: blog action day 2008, breastfeeding, Four Yorkshirement, Monty Python, poverty, The Big Issue
October 16th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Hi Fiona,
Great post. I was looking through the comments on the learnaboutpoverty.org site and noticed yours. Perhaps because it was at the bottom of the list or it could be that you mentioned breastfeeding. Its not something that a lot of guys are passionate about, but breastfeeding is something that is extremely important to me and I feel so awful for children who are never given the opportunity to breastfeed. Anyway, I wont ramble, I think your points about breastfeeding are spot on. The benefits of breast feeding are so great that it astounds me that people still choose not to do it. I understand why they choose not to in countries and areas where education on the subject is non existent and you get corporations spreading propaganda about their baby formula products. Ergh, I’m rambling again… Great post!
October 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Well said Fiona. I’m pro-choice for those who have valid, well-researched reasons to bottle feed but little tolerance for those who choose not to breastfeed out of ignorance.
October 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Great post and it sounds like you’re passing on important lessons in learning to your kids too. I too love the idea of breastfeeding for those same reasons.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Oh, this is a very hot topic to choose Fiona. I will not get into the debate with you, how about we agree that choice is a wonderful thing for both mother and baby, eh?
And smootches.