Lots of great points in this thread. Just a few random thoughts:
1. Way too many people have kids just for the sake of having kids. That includes both the educated and the uneducated, although the educated are less guilty because on average, they have fewer kids. But there is nothing more sad than watching a wealthy, "educated" family indoctrinate the kid into consumer culture with lavish toys from the time they are born. Then they grow up with their self identities defined by their labels, their house, their car, their degrees, position in society, etc. Better that the kid not be born.
2. People have to work on themselves first before raising a kid. You pass on all your B.S. to the child. So if you need to see a shrink, chances are, your kids will too. And if you are too neurotic, they won't support you in your retirement either.
3. There IS no comparison between pets and kids. I've had both and I didn't want kids. My wife wanted children so I caved. When my kid was born, an internal switch that I never knew I had came on. It's overwhelming what you feel. Never had a pet do that and I loved my dogs and turtles.
4. Society may be on the "decline" but that's only because we just reached the pinnacle. Honestly, if you think things are bad, then when in history did you think it was a "good" time to have kids? In the 19th century? During the Medieval ages? Trust, me if I had a choice, I'd much rather be born now than any other time in history. Life on earth as a human being has never been a picnic and never will be. We can fool ourselves for a while when things aren't chaotic around us, but how often are things not chaotic in human history?
1. Way too many people have kids just for the sake of having kids. That includes both the educated and the uneducated, although the educated are less guilty because on average, they have fewer kids. But there is nothing more sad than watching a wealthy, "educated" family indoctrinate the kid into consumer culture with lavish toys from the time they are born. Then they grow up with their self identities defined by their labels, their house, their car, their degrees, position in society, etc. Better that the kid not be born.
2. People have to work on themselves first before raising a kid. You pass on all your B.S. to the child. So if you need to see a shrink, chances are, your kids will too. And if you are too neurotic, they won't support you in your retirement either.
3. There IS no comparison between pets and kids. I've had both and I didn't want kids. My wife wanted children so I caved. When my kid was born, an internal switch that I never knew I had came on. It's overwhelming what you feel. Never had a pet do that and I loved my dogs and turtles.
4. Society may be on the "decline" but that's only because we just reached the pinnacle. Honestly, if you think things are bad, then when in history did you think it was a "good" time to have kids? In the 19th century? During the Medieval ages? Trust, me if I had a choice, I'd much rather be born now than any other time in history. Life on earth as a human being has never been a picnic and never will be. We can fool ourselves for a while when things aren't chaotic around us, but how often are things not chaotic in human history?
