For two decades the Chinese government has limited rural couples to one child per family (two if the first is a female). A recent Time magazine article (7/01/02) reported that, due to gender-based abortions and other practices, China is currently facing a shortage of 50 million women.

The situation in China shows us another area where we are called to defend the value of life. The underlying message of China's female infanticide is that female offspring are less valuable than males. This message is just as insidious as the assertion that the unborn, elderly, or infirm are less valuable than a person who is healthy and contributing to society.

We live in a culture that does not see hidden contributions- that sees value only in the obvious, and looks with physical eyes instead of the eyes of the heart. We fail to see what the weak, helpless , and needy contribute to our lives. Yet it is the weak, helpless and needy that teach us compassion, gentleness, unselfishness, patience, and all those virtues that make us into the type of people that others like to be around. It is the weak and needy that transform our natures and give us an opportunity to practice love as God loves. And love, being the most noble ability of man, will bring us happiness, because when we love, we see ourselves living up to our highest potential.

Just as we live in an age that fails to see the hidden value of the unborn and elderly, we also fail to see the hidden value of the woman. The culture tends to focus on the woman's physical appearance and underestimate the true value of what she brings to society. In cases like China, it becomes clear that the goods which a woman contributes are often unseen or undervalued in this world.

It seems that the health of any civilization must begin to break down as it loses the sense of the true nature and value of a woman. She is, literally, the vessel that brings life to the world. She protects and cultivates life- not only the physical lives of children, but also the hidden, higher realms of life. A woman is capable of drawing out kindness, gentleness, and inspiring noble acts. When a man and woman form a family, they are inspired to work together to form a better world for the sake of others- their children. Women bring beauty, order, and stability to the world- and marriage and family brings meaning to a man's life and gives him a reason to work. The happiness levels fall into place, because man is no longer putting forth his energies for ego gratification or pleasure, but rather to provide for those he loves. The noble side of a man is drawn out by the woman.

When a woman is seen for her innate ability to draw out the best in a man and lead us to a healthier culture, then we will never find a situation where a culture undervalues its female offspring. Likewise, when we recognize that children and the elderly draw out the loving and generous side of human nature, then we will never find a situation where a culture allows abortion or euthanasia. However, first we must come to a place where we value the right things. We must realize the value of beauty, love and generosity, before we can value the women, children and elderly who inspire this beauty, love and generosity in the world.

In order to heal the culture, we don't have to perform great feats or discover new technology. We simply need to look within our hearts and recognize that all people are an opportunity for us to participate in relationships that bring meaning to our lives and teach us to love. And this love will bring us closer to God- Our Ultimate Happiness.


Life Principles Reflections is a quarterly Email commentary developed to give reflections on life issues. Every three months articles are published online featuring a staff or a guest writer.

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