When Children are Wanted

A 'This I Believe' Essay

By: Margaret Sanger

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.©2006 This I Believe Inc.; (P)2006 This I Believe Inc., Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Core beliefs

Narration: not perfectly clear, but clear enough.

Content: three beliefs = one must be strong in mind, body, and spirit to do good for anyone, including self; we all must do what we can to better society; my particular commitment is to help women to have children having optimal opportunity to be successful.

A communist she is I'm sure....despicable

propaganda of the highest sort. uneducated minds will lap this up because it "feels" good

Inspiring woman

If you could sum up When Children are Wanted in three words, what would they be?

Ms. Sanger's words are so sweet, yet powerful and she has inspired a whole generation to greatness (Dr. Martin Luther King, President Johnson, Senator Clinton, and a host of Hollywood and political elite). Ironic that her gentle ways of influence modeled that of Queen Esther, while her motives (see chapter 9 of her autoboigraphy) were that of Queen Vashti. As a Gemini, I see greatness in each of the queens.

What other book might you compare When Children are Wanted to and why?

Mark 10:13-16. 13And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.15“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”16And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

Have you listened to any of the narrator’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. C-SPAN's Mike Wallace interview with Ms. Sanger

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Her gentle manner and sweet voice.