Hello Marnie … that's quite the arguement that you've taken on for your research paper … and an interesting introduction to CITR!  Welcome!  I'm not self-sufficient as a suburbanite and will likely never be despite wistful aspirations (I work those out reading CITR).  Self-sufficiency requires ample physical work and my aging household would not be able to cover full self-sufficiency to include livestock even if we could find an adequate property.  Self-sufficiency for everyone in a society would be hugely difficult but that led to individuals trading their skills for centuries.  Although it would be a stretch to imagine doctors making house visits again and taking chickens as their fee!

I am happy, however, to agree that aspects of self-sufficiency such as working a backyard garden (ours keeps growing every year and has invaded the front yard) and canning the largess from garden, farmer's market and trade with neighbors has destressed our lives on many levels.  Particularly in this recession!  I do believe that growing and perserving foods, frugal maintenance of a property and possessions is something that all of us can manage within individual skill sets and physical capacities.  Despite the digital age, there is soothing satisfaction in doing for one's self as much as one can manage.

I would  just like to throw in a thought  I have been having lately on this very subject' "Why I Believe Everyone Should Be Self Sufficient'.

     I think self-sufficiency (sic?) is a reversal of consumerism. It starts with making mustard from scratch and not going to the store to buy French's.   It's knowing where your food comes from and knowing you can decide what food is right for you and then making it. It's the seperation from products  mass produced  that frees your mind to absorb what really matters in life.  Theres power in that.

     For me, it's an attempt to get in touch with life FOR REAL. Life that brings me a little closer to the world God intended me to see. Not the world Kelloggs wants me to see.

     And I think I 'hear'  people better when they are talking about cooking, canning raising animals etc…Because when they share their routines or ideas they reveal so much more about themselves. Are they taking short cuts or overly emotional in regards to animal care? Are they intellectualizing or spiritual ?

     The older I get the more I value good peopl, friends and family, and being more self sufficient and less driven by consumerism helps me to keep those values in the right perspective.

     Plus , I love a good organic steak and homemade jalapeno jelly.