Parenting helps develop essential relationship skills.
Research shows that a growing number of Americans do not want kids. In fact, 47% of those under 50 without children say they are unlikely to ever have kids. While increasing fertility rates play a role, the primary reason most don’t have children is simply that… they don’t want to.
This trend implies a broader societal shift towards self-fulfillment and independence. However, Studio 5 Relationship Contributor Dr. Matt Townsend believes it’s worth exploring how parenting, whether as a mother, father, or nurturing caregiver, can be a profound path to personal growth.
-
Raising Kids is the School of Selflessness and Emotional Intelligence
Dr. Matt said, “Parenting challenges us to develop empathy, patience, and emotional resilience—skills that are essential not just in family life, but in every relationships.” Raising kids forces you to think beyond yourself—to see the world through someone else’s eyes. It’s a profound practice in selflessness, and that’s something our increasingly independent society could use more of.
-
Children Give Us a Perpetual Purpose That Fosters Continuous Growth
“Mothering is not just about giving life—it’s about shaping it,” Dr. Matt emphasized. Children provide a deep sense of purpose that goes beyond material goals. Parenting offers a different kind of fulfillment—a sense of purpose grounded in nurturing and guiding the next generation. What purpose could give more meaning in life than the profound opportunity to guide another human being through the journey of life?
-
Children Require Us to Connect Deeper and to Build Stronger Social Networks
“In a world that’s more connected online but lonelier than ever, parenting roots us in real, human relationships,” Dr. Matt said. Parenting builds community through schools, family activities, and shared struggles with other parents. When you become a parent, you’re not just raising a child—you’re creating a family that touches the lives of others, fostering connection in a disconnected world.
-
Raising Kids Is the Greatest Spiritual Practice
Motherhood is not only a transformative personal experience, but also a profound spiritual journey. At its core, being a mother or parent is one of the most profound spiritual practices. It teaches humility, courage, compassion, and forgiveness. In a culture that often prizes self-fulfillment, motherhood calls us to look beyond our own needs and become a vessel of growth and learning for someone else.
Find more inspiration from Dr. Matt at his website, matttownsend.com. Check out his program, Becoming One!
Add comment