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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be irritated by Prince Harry's attitude to third and subsequent children?

228 replies

Irishgurl · 21/08/2019 18:29

So my youngest DC is 12. Incredibly aware of environmental issues and is beginning to think of a career in Marine Biology. Already follows environmental blogs, has joined school focus groups for this and keeps our family in check on our environmental responsibility. And is very sad to have read Prince Harry's comments on third children being something that is damaging to the planet. I do find it rather frustrating that I have had to discuss this with a child. The planet is being damaged and no one can deny it. But it is really naive to point the finger of blame on third and subsequent children in a family. It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away ( and this includes the environment). The more children the better , as long as they are contributing and making the world a better place? I think he should apologize to all third children ( and 4th and 5th). And that includes his Mother, Prince Louis, my lovely 12 year old and many more fantastic human beings who really don't deserve to be told that they are bad for the planet!

OP posts:
TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 21/08/2019 18:31

He's a puppet.

He says what he's told to say.

Blame someone higher up for his comments.

NoBaggyPants · 21/08/2019 18:33

Whilst I don't agree with all he does, he does make a good point on having multiple children. However environmentally aware you are, children are a drain on resources. That's not blaming the children, it's blaming the parents that keep choosing to breed.

Confusedbeetle · 21/08/2019 18:33

He has no idea what he is talking about. He is a new father, clueless

Original poster
Irishgurl · 21/08/2019 18:35

It also makes me so angry that he speaks about 'having two children' like they are something to be bought in John Lewis! Every child is a gift. Do the Royal Family never have 'happy surprises' or twins, or fertility issues which might influence the number of children they might have?

OP posts:
IAskTooManyQuestions · 21/08/2019 18:35

Could you point out which bit in his interview you deem to be the bad bit ??

While talking to Dr Jane Goodall in the much-anticipated September issue of Vogue, guest edited by Meghan, the royal spoke about his commitment to the environment in a conversation about family planning. Talking about saving the environment, Harry said: "I view it very differently now, without question. But I've always wanted to try and ensure that, even before having a child and hoping to have children..." Jane then interjected: "Not too many!" to which Harry replied: "Two, maximum!"

Oddly, he is allowed a choice in how many children he decides to have and I would suggest your eco friendly child hasn't read the interview - because this hasn't been said And is very sad to have read Prince Harry's comments on third children being something that is damaging to the planet.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 21/08/2019 18:35

I just half assumed it was because of Meghan's age. A baby #3 would put her in her 40s so a. It less likely to have a baby than in her 20s. Pressure off having more. Maybe they should save the planet by living a smaller footprint life?

DrinkSangriaInThePark · 21/08/2019 18:36

He's turning into a right pain in the arse.

As are all the other sanctimonious gits who point hypocritical fingers.

Original poster
Irishgurl · 21/08/2019 18:36

NoBaggyPants

Children don't have to be 'a drain on resources' if they make educated choices in life.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/08/2019 18:37

It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away ( and this includes the environment). The more children the better , as long as they are contributing and making the world a better place?

You're wrong.

Weirdwonders · 21/08/2019 18:37

Not another thread about this.
He doesn’t have ‘an attitude towards third children’, he’s saying he’s only having two for various reasons. Your lack of comprehension means YABU.
And no, personally I don’t think the more kids the better when it comes to using up the earth’s rapidly depleting resources, but that’s my view.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 21/08/2019 18:37

And is very sad to have read Prince Harry's comments on third children being something that is damaging to the planet.

I want to see this quote please. link

Original poster
Irishgurl · 21/08/2019 18:38

IAskTooManyQuestions

Yes, it's the part in which he agrees that more than two is 'too many'.

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 21/08/2019 18:38

YABU.

First, your 12yo is more than old enough to understand the difference between a comment about the population as a whole (if we all keep having larger families) and her worth as an individual (which is not affected by her position in the family). And if she doesn't immediately grasp that, then hey, you have a chance to teach her something!

Plus, he's right. Population growth is unsustainably high and the single biggest factor in environmental damage. There are lots of reasons for that, of course, in improved nutrition and medical care, and so on. But given that we don't want to reverse any of those things, we need to be proactive in having fewer children in the first place. A useful thing to do would be to talk to your daughter about her own expectations for a family in the future.

Az910 · 21/08/2019 18:38

He's not wrong, so I don't see why he should apologise, multiple children is one of the worst things you can do for the environment.

Pipandmum · 21/08/2019 18:39

He’s not blaming third children. He’s saying the parents shouldn’t have more than two. Of course it would be better for the environment if there were fewer people in it. But one can’t say whether this child or that will grow up to be another Albert Einstein or another Hitler.
I think he’s saying people should be mindful. However it is a bitter pill to take from someone of privilege who has access to private planes, has several homes and staff.

OtraCosaMariposa · 21/08/2019 18:39

Prince Harry isn't known for his towering intellect.

SoupDragon · 21/08/2019 18:39

Children don't have to be 'a drain on resources' if they make educated choices in life.

But they are. The planet can't take an ever increasing population, that is the point.

TinyGhostWriter · 21/08/2019 18:39

He didn’t say that??

imalrightjack · 21/08/2019 18:39

Here's hoping Meghan next pregnancy is twins! Just see what they say then.

Alsohuman · 21/08/2019 18:40

Over population is a huge threat to the planet, possibly the greatest. I thought that was common knowledge.

bridgetreilly · 21/08/2019 18:40

Children don't have to be 'a drain on resources' if they make educated choices in life.

Of course they do. Literally every single human being is a drain on the earth's resources. This isn't about whether you can afford for them to go to university or have nice holidays. This is about the car they'll drive, the house they'll live in, the clothes they'll wear, the food they'll eat.

Original poster
Irishgurl · 21/08/2019 18:41

It is very difficult to not see that this is an overtly judgemental piece of journalism.

And it is surely quality of life rather than quantity that counts. 1 individual person can damage the planet far more than 10 people who make it their life mission to protect the earth.

OP posts:
IAskTooManyQuestions · 21/08/2019 18:42

Dreadful spin OP - really stuffing words into peoples mouths. Im not sure what you are hoping to gain? Apart from an air of burning martyrdom

TheBadCop · 21/08/2019 18:42

couldn't care less about Harry but:

It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away

it does. you are wrong.

Preggosaurus9 · 21/08/2019 18:42

The MN view is that more than 1 child is selfish destruction of the planet. These threads always go that way.