“Freeze your eggs, free your career.” That was the eye catching title on the front page of the Bloomberg Businessweek magazine last month. The subtitle read, “A new fertility procedure gives women more choices in the quest to have it all.”
My interest was sparked.
I opened the magazine to scan over this intriguing cover story. “Later, Baby” was the title on the inside. “Egg freezing technology is helping women kiss the mommy track goodbye.”
As I flipped through the next three pages, I read several stories of women who had decided to take the egg freezing route and their reasons for doing so. “I just wanted to take the pressure off,” Suzanne, age 37, said. “Men don’t have a biological clock, and I felt like this leveled the playing field a bit.”
Bridget, age 39, stated, “Freezing my eggs brought me time and the possibility to have a child in the future. It’s not a sure thing, but a gamble I am willing to take.”
The whole idea of freezing your eggs is becoming more appealing to women each year.
Instead of being bound by their (God-designed) biological clock, women can delay having children until their 40s, without the worry of having to produce healthy eggs. The basic idea is that you freeze your strong eggs when you’re in your 20s, and then use them when you’re in your 40s.
The article went on to state, “If a 25-year-old banks her eggs and, at 35, is up for a [career] promotion, she can go for it wholeheartedly without worrying about missing out on having a baby.”
Women, young and old, are loving this new freezing technology because it frees them up from having to “settle down” too early. They can pursue their career, delay marriage, be independent, and still have a chance to be a mom – on their own timeframe.
As I continued reading the article, the overarching message I heard was this; Children are a burden, a career is more valuable than being a mom and being independent from the “family” is where women find true empowerment.
“Like many people who’ve frozen their eggs,” the article said, “Emily uses the word ‘empowered’ to describe the experience.”
We live in a culture that once viewed young marriages and motherhood as a normal part of life.
Now, a young woman is encouraged to be independent from her family, pursue the career path, and use her sexual “freedom” as she chooses. As a whole, the focus has shifted from a woman being family-oriented to now being totally self-oriented.
Our culture has taken the approach that children are more like accessories than anything else. Have them or don’t have them. If they fit into your life, great. If not, no biggie. If you want to save them for later, that’s an option too.
We should think differently.
As Christian girls, we have to view everything, including this new egg freezing technology, through a Biblical worldview.
Now I’m not opposed to new technology and medical advancement, but I am opposed to a worldview and mindset that is contrary to God’s Word. There’s a reason God designed us with a biological clock. There’s a reason women are more fertile when they’re young. There’s a reason God created us to be different than men.
Our secular culture is always trying to find a way to bypass God’s design.
First of all, the Bible makes it very clear that children are not a burden but are a blessing. They’re a gift from God. We should never view children as a take-it-or-leave-it accessory. Children should be viewed as a precious investment and, for Christians, a soldier-in-training for the Kingdom of God.
The Bible also says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Prov. 18:22). Marriage is viewed as an awesome thing in God’s eyes. In fact, young marriages are celebrated, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18).
God designed us girls with bodies that are (typically) able to get pregnant for a solid 30 years. On average, the younger a woman is, the more fertile she will be. What does that tell you? Maybe, just maybe, God expected us to get married at a younger age and have children when we’re the healthiest and most energetic.
If you take a bird’s-eye view of Scripture, what you will find is this; a loving Creator who designed and highly values marriages, motherhood, and children.
These things are repeatedly referred to as blessings and gifts.
We discover that true happiness and fulfillment is found when we live our lives with a focus on serving others and honoring God.
If you take a birds-eye view of our culture, what do you see? Self-absorbed men and women who are celebrating the fact that egg freezing is available and women can now kiss the mommy track goodbye. Women can break free from their enslaving biological clock. Their careers and independence can finally take the front row.
As a girl living in today’s culture, what has shaped your view of motherhood and children?
Do you view the independent career path as more valuable and successful than getting married and raising a family?
I’d love to interact with you about this topic, so leave a comment below.
Photo credit: www.flickr.com | Sleepy Jeanie