Obsession with numbers
I am nearly 85 years old and still active in matters pertaining to the contemporary Zoroastrian community. One current topic that disturbs me greatly is the so-called non-fertility amongst the community’s young and their incapacity to produce more progeny to add to our numbers.
I have not known of such a predicament in earlier times when Parsi families boasted large numbers. We had a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, sons and daughters filling the houses at all times. The norm was four to eight children and during my grandmother’s time 13 or more per family!
Couples opt for smaller families for economic reasons. We have been a proud community that has enjoyed a high standard of living. We don’t go beyond one or two children out of choice. Other than my husband and myself, there are many other couples I know of who have opted for smaller families to ensure financial security. In fact, we should be proud to be the only community that has not burdened the country with excessive numbers!
Financial security alone can tempt the average Parsi couple to go in for a large family. Those who are at the helm of community affairs should offer financial incentives to help them achieve this goal.
MEHER D. DHONDY
Gurgaon, Haryana
The editors reply:
Financial assistance and even housing have not succeeded in changing the downward demographic slide.
I FULLY AGREE WITH MEHER. today right from pregnancy, delivery, school admssn, university every thing is sky high. If admsn to good schools, coll. are guaranteed, delivery expenses subsidized, things may change. I personally thinks we need to love, respect n have faith in our religion, the way we love our family; n inculcated this into gen. next. tables will turn. How can we expect a non-Parsi spouse to inculcate this? when the Parsi spouse did not care for it ? If we marry early, within the fold n have children 3 , the graph will certainly change. only ZARTHUSHTRA CAN PERFORM THIS MIRACLE. we cannot force someone to love the religion.. can we ?