Topic #10-Eyes opened in Ukraine

In this post I would like to make the connection between Ukraine’s TFR and there focus on urbanization and loss of religion.  When I was over in Ukraine two summers ago, I was shocked at the lack of family values, a rural characteristic, and the focus on individual success especially in the business field.  We visited an orphanage where the higher the grade the greater the number of children due to the fact that their parent’s would get sick of them or the children would get in the way of their careers.  Women in college saw no importance in establishing a family and raising the next generation.  All they could see was the next big step in their own career and life.  This lack of care for one another shocked me.  When college students found out I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field they looked at me like I was crazy.  Money was in business and they couldn’t see any reason for wanting to help the sick when you were not going to get paid for it.  This overall attitude of individualism is leading the country to decreased population and a large number of poorly cared for orphans.  I almost wonder if it is better that the TFR is below 2.1 because the environment is not beneficial to raising a growing population.  Below were two wonderful girls that had parents, but they just left them at this boarding school because they didn't want to take care of them.  These girls were waiting to get their teeth cleaned by the traveling team of missionary dentists that went with us.  I cannot remember now, but I am sure at least one if not both of these girls had to get a root canal because they are not taught proper hygiene and consequently their teeth are already starting to decay.