Blog Post #2 - "The state can't hug children."

As I was reading through the first portion of Gulliver’s Travels, I came across a passage that really hit home for me and I could easily relate to. It also helps explains the Lilliputians a little more, but I was mostly taken aback as to how this passage reminds me of one of my biggest role models and favorite teachers throughout my schooling. The passage is as follows:

“… For the Lilliputians think nothing can be more unjust, than for People, in subservience to their own Appetites, to bring Children into the World, and leave the Burthen of supporting them on the public.”

Concerning the nation of Lilliput and the inhabitants of it, this passage shows that the Lilliputians care about their kin. They feel that if you bring them into the world, you tend and care for them. I think this shows that their morals and values are in the right place and shows us that their beliefs aren’t really far from our own.

On a separate note, this passage really relates to me. My favorite teacher, coach, and role model in my life, Mr. Jerry Becker, has been apart of my life for as long as I remember. But, when I read this passage in Gulliver’s Travels, a certain memory of Coach Becker popped into my head. During his College Government lectures my junior year of high school, he would always splice in little life lessons during his class, and one of his most-stated lesson and most passionate advice was this:

“Never, and I repeat, NEVER, bring children into this world unless you can care and provide for them. Do NOT bring children into this world and expect the state to take care of them. The state cannot hug children.”

The passage in Gulliver’s Travels is almost identical to what Mr. Becker always said to us kids. For me, I found that pretty interesting, as well as significant… well, in my eyes at least.