I read "A Parachute for Those Jumping Off the Mommy Cliff" [Second Opinion, March 13] with great interest and was eager to read the letters that it inspired [Interactions, March 20]. I am astounded at what I read in the replies.
There were many people who could not see the value in supports for families. Scott Wenzel said that "Motherhood is not now and has not for many centuries been 'necessary.' "
I suppose if you would like to see the species become extinct, then motherhood is not necessary. But as far as I can tell, we have not gotten to the point where we can produce human beings fully grown.
In order to have a future, we need children, and I would argue that we also need attentive, involved, supported mothers and fathers. Anything less dooms our species.
Michelle Melcher Knight
Harrisonburg, Va.
Those who wrote expressing the sentiment that other people's children are only a burden and expense to them reveal a shallow understanding of how the world works.
"Those people's" children will be paying their Social Security and staffing their nursing home when the time comes. The old depend on the young for labor and the benefits that come from payroll taxes.
Even in a completely libertarian and tax-free country, I doubt we would get along very well without the next generation behind us. With a good society, we all reap the benefits. With a bad society, we all pay the price.
Charlotte K. Dean, MD
Takoma Park
It's easy to understand why those who are unable to bear children are jealous of those who can and do, but subsidizing other segments of society is part of life. You can't opt out. After all, pacifists are not allowed to withhold their taxes because they don't want to pay for munitions.
At one time public education was seen as an unwarranted subsidy for a bunch of selfish freeloaders. I suspect that even today members of ChildFree Families feel quite put-upon by having to pay taxes that support public schools. I suppose they want their neighbors' children to either hang out on the corner all day or go to work, like they did in the good old days. Most people feel that an educated populace is worth the cost.
Irene A. Fuerst
Takoma Park
Motives Aside, Communication Is Good
Many of us who have realized the benefits of using sign language with children were disappointed that so much of "Is It a Sign?" [Cover Story, March 13] was devoted to the critics who cast doubt on research findings that sign language enhances verbal communication and IQ.
This doubt served to overshadow the real value that signing offers. While they may find the research findings intriguing, most of the parents we know who have embraced signing have done so in order to enable pre-verbal communication with their children, and are delighted when their children begin to sign.
However, if parents embrace it for the "wrong" reasons, as the article suggests, is that necessarily such a bad thing? If they enjoy the immediate benefits in hope of a long-term payoff, they are still doing something positive for their families.
The fundamental benefit of signing with children seemed to be lost in the article. While doubters claim that empowering children to clearly express their wants and needs through signs long before they can articulate is not "language," it is communication. And communication is the essence of any relationship. Enabling and improving communication between a parent and child enhances the parent-child bond.
Carolyn Stephan
Fairfax
Role Beyond Rehab Has Limits
Contrary to the assertion in the "Where to Find a Physical Therapist" box that accompanied "A Role Beond Rehab" [Fitness, March 20], the changing law in Virginia will not allow "direct access to an evaluation." It will allow patients who already have a standing order from a physician to go directly to a physical therapist for the same condition as previously referred for an additional two-week period. After that time, the therapist must send the patient back to the physician for a new evaluation.
Physical therapists provide a very valuable service, however, it is foolhardy for individuals to rely on their "evaluations" instead of a proper diagnosis. . . . something physical therapists are not trained to do.
Roberta L. Sorensen
Executive Director
Fairfax County & Alexandria Medical Societies
Vienna
NOTE: Writer Nadine Epstein says the story was correct in stating that the new Virgina law would permit a physical therapist to do a one-time evaluation without a doctor's referral -- as long as the therapist has practiced in Virginia for three years.
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