Vincent and Susie have 6 children ages 8, 7, 5, 3, 2, and 2 months. Vincent works hard as a carpenter but also does other jobs, while Susie complains that there is never enough food or time. Most of the children have stopped school to work in fields. The doctor told Susie not to have more children as her health is poor. They did not plan family size due to customs. Responsible parenthood considers the parental role in guiding children, emotional readiness, building family relationships, and having knowledge to rear children well.

1. RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

2. EXPLORE
Activity - Is this a responsible family?

3. The family of Vincent and Susie
Vincent and Susie have been married for
10 years; they were 18 and 16 when they got
married. Susie has been pregnant eight times
and actually has six children of eight, seven,
five, three, two and the last of two months.
Vincent works very hard. He is a carpenter but
also has to do other work to survive. Susie is
always tired and complains that Vincent does
not work hard enough and that there is never
enough food to eat or time for anything but
work.

4. Most of the children stopped going to
school in order to work in a neighbor's
fields. The seven and five-year-old
children are still at school but will not be
able to stay much longer because there is
no money for the fees. The youngest
child was born too early and is very
sickly.

5. At the moment he has bad
diarrhea The doctor has told Susie
that she should not have any more
children because her health is very
poor now. They did not plan the
number of children in the family
because they say, it depends on
destiny and customs.

6. DIRECTION
• The leader starts off a discussion by first asking
the individual group members how many
children they would like to have. • He or she
then displays a poster showing a large family
under difficult conditions in such a way that all
the group members can see it and reads the
description on pages 27 and 28.
• The group are then asked some of the questions
from page 29 (or others the leader may wish to
add).
• The group discuss the need for responsible
parenthood and the potential consequences of
irresponsible behaviour.

7. RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD
Definition:
Responsible Parenthood is the spirituality of
the family. From the very beginning of
marriage, the spouses embrace a new heart
which makes them a gift for each other.

8. Factors to Consider in
Responsible Parenthood
The ultimate goal of marriage is to raise a family.
The implication relies on how parents assume
their responsibility in caring and supporting
their children to attain the best possible future.
Preparing for parenthood requires a lot of
consideration such as:

9. • 1. Parental role - to provide physical,
material and continuous guidance to the
children in order for them to become
responsible members of the family and society
• 2. Emotional adjustment - to be
emotionally prepared and adjusted to cope up
with the challenges of life
• 3. Family Relationship - to perform each
role and create a harmonious relationship
• 4. Knowledge in child rearing - educated
parents are better prepared to face the
challenges of parenthood

10. Essential Question
Why is Responsible Parenthood Important?