To not understand why people are still having kids?

[Tobythecat]

I understand that the urge to reproduce is very strong, but the future looks incredibly bleak (I'm not talking about just covid, but also climate change). I fear for the future and what sort of quality of life people will have, considering Automation/competition over jobs, climate change issues (food/water shortages, extreme weather). Honestly, how can you think that everything will be fine and work itself out, or do you just not think about it? Children today will face unimagineable suffering in the next 20-30 years, how can you justify it to them? I wanted children desperately but decided not to because of the above, plus genetic factors.

People mention the war and how people kept having kids, but the threats we face have never been faced before and are multifaceted. Is existing to suffer better than not existing at all?

[sqirrelfriends]

@Rustyspanners

I have a 2 year old. I knew about climate change and it was a concern but I didn't realise this was something that was an imminent threat rather than something that was more likely to come several several generations down the line. When I see threads like these and sayings like 'children will face unimaginable suffering in 20-30 years', it frightens the fuck out of me and makes me feel utterly fucking horrendous that I had my child. I love him dearly and the future petrifies me. Thanks for the reminder. (:

This.

Most of us on here have kids already, is the point of your post just to cause upset?

[PablosHoney]

@WorraLiberty 😂😂😂

[SummerHouse]

Well mine are 8 and 10. They are the best thing I have ever done and if timing were different I would do exactly the same thing tomorrow. Our lives are great. And 100% worth living whatever the next 20 years bring. I don't regret them for a second and I don't fear for their future. We have to carry on living and that means reproducing. Otherwise what's the point?

[LoveNote]

@PablosHoney

In 20 or 30 years I hope to still be around suffering along with them in the dystopian future 😚

if the covid doesn't get ya first!!

[BabyLlamaZen]

As in more reason that that e.g. not the right partner, financial support, the urge you feel.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Because man kind adapts

[Mmsnet101]

Because without the future generations, the human race will definitely die out? Fair enough we could do with smaller families /populations overall but denying having a child because of how future might be, denies us from possibly changing it.

It does scare me, but then again I do hope that people start to realise and we can start fixing what we've collectively broken.

[GreatMindsThinkAlike]

@BabyLlamaZen I think I know my friends better than you do. They've told me their reasons.

[Hardbackwriter]

People have spent all human history having children despite uncertain and bleak futures and, very often, despite a belief that the end of the world was imminent.

[firstimemamma]

Because I didn't realise things would be hard in the way you describe until ds was 6 weeks' old. You have struck a nerve with me I'm afraid op. I worry regularly and I'm afraid I can't undo ds.

Also it isn't really the fault of individuals in every case - if the government and media is just getting everyone to think climate change will be fine and that there is no real big issue then people are misled. We didn't all watch the extinction David Attenborough documentary and many are not aware of the issues.

[WiggleSquiggle]

Unimaginable? I mean, I can imagine quite a lot of suffering, so you may be wrong, though I am intrigued as to what you think will be happening.
Earth stops spinning? Ice caps melt even quicker and we all drown? Robots rise up and take over?
You sound somewhat hysterical.

[BabyLlamaZen]

[quote GreatMindsThinkAlike]@BabyLlamaZen I think I know my friends better than you do. They've told me their reasons.[/quote]
Fair enough, that was judgemental of me. It's just strange because for me I'd rather never have sex again until I'd die than not have kids. Which may seem extreme, but that is genuinely how I feel. So when I hear your story I think you can't have been as desperate as that! (Unless you are physically unable to have kids, in which I'm really sorry :( )

[MillieEpple]

I have moments when i think 'what have i done, bringing you into this world knowing it could be a huge struggle for you' but they very often seem happy. I just keep hoping climate change is mitigated and war, famine and pestilience arent their future.

[PablosHoney]

@LoveNote I can’t imagine it taking me out but you never know ☺️ Won’t somebody think of the children!

[Bunkumum]

Because I know I’ve got shit hot genes, they’ve made it all the way to me through all those generations of challenges. Only fair I carry them on. Don’t want to let the side down.

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

Children today will face unimagineable suffering in the next 20-30 years, how can you justify it to them?

I simply believe this is gross exaggeration, particularly for western children who are fortunate enough to be born into a position of relative wealth and stability.

The climate change models which tend to throw panickers into a cold sweat are often misinterpreted, or the media sensationalise them. For example a detailed scientific work might consider a range of outcomes, including a rather unlikely possibility for huge temperature change in a short time frame. A media report will ignore much of the data and the more likely less alarming scenarios also projected, and only report on the most severe one. Boring projections don't sell.

As a result, many ordinary people dont understand that some of these projections are worst case scenarios and not considered likely to actually occur.

DH and I fortunate to be in a strong financial position, furthermore we believe we can equip our children to be adaptable for changes in the world.

[formerbabe]

Children today will face unimagineable suffering in the next 20-30 years

As it stands there's children in the world already living with unimaginable suffering.

I'm not sure routinely in the developed nations, children will be guaranteed a life of unimaginable suffering in the next couple of decades. If they do, I'm planning to still be alive,so, er, I'll have that to look forward to I guess

[PablosHoney]

On a serious note this thread is really unpleasant for first time mums suffering from anxiety.

[LyingDogsLie1]

I can see where you’re coming from, but has every generation not faced some kind of hardship? I wouldn’t say life hasn’t been worth living for me.

[NameChange84]

I’m single, 36 and have always wanted children. If the right man was in my life there’s no way I’d let this stop me. For many people it’s now or never and I don’t blame them one bit for ttc...I was conceived in the Cold War, my parents in WW2 or the aftermath, grandparents in WW1 etc...life goes on and it’s none of anyone else’s business.

[BrieAndChilli]

If all the intelligent people decided to use thier brains and not have kids then the next generation would just be kids of stupid people. Surely we need to create some kids who might have a hope of fixing our errors?
Who knows one of us mumsnettets might have spawned the scientist who invents interstellar space travel and another who discovers a life sustaining planet. Another mumsnetter might have a child who invents a way of recycling every single plastic on the planet or invents a totally clean energy. Another mumsnetters pfb might invent a way to bring back extinct anaimals and rebalance the eco system.

[megletthesecond]

Hope and instinct.

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

Are you generally this goady OP?

[FlumpetCrumpet]

Because it is within the power of all of us to meet the challenges we face and make the future better and that includes those yet to be born. Giving up and resigning yourself to fate isn't the only option.

[NoBunnyHere]

It's not the reason I don't have children, but it is a reason I am glad/relieved that I don't.

I think the next generation or two will face hardships that the last couple have not - and that maybe those hardships will be bring suffering to many. I am grateful my (non existent) children and grand children will not face that.

The world we leave them will be poorer than the world we inherited.