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AIBU?

To not understand why people are still having kids?

688 replies

Tobythecat · 20/09/2020 19:21

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?

OP posts:
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Puffalicious · 20/09/2020 20:21

Puffaliciousyou've come onto the OP's thread... to tell the OP to go away? Interesting choice.

Yes, I have, because the OP has come onto a parenting site to goad parents about becoming parents based on their own prejudices and personal issues. I have the right to express my opinion and my opinion is that the OP remove their sanctimonious self before others are upset. That okay with you, thread police?

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Nottherealslimshady · 20/09/2020 20:22

Otherwise only people who didnt care would have children and their children wouldn't help the planet. We need to improve our species and we do this through our children. I hope my child will have a positive impact on our planet.

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x2boys · 20/09/2020 20:23

Because there have always been risks ,you mention the war ,I can't imagine my grandparents thought it was a great time to have kids during WW2 yet they did and my mum was born in 1942 ,it's life

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Choosingmyring · 20/09/2020 20:23

I bet you’re fun at parties OP! Grin

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Thenneverendingstorohree · 20/09/2020 20:23

I don't think my children will face unimaginable suffering or I wouldn't have had them, obviously. I presume the majority of people, who do have children, feel the same (and those who would have children if they were able to).

Your position, from my experience, is an extreme minority one.

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SomewhereEast · 20/09/2020 20:26

I'm genuinely fascinated how anyone who views humans, including presumably themselves, as "parasites" gets by on a day to day basis? Like, do you have friends? Does your SO know you fundamentally think they're a parasite and the world would be a better place without them / you? That must be a bit of a romance killer, no? If someone shares a pic of their new baby on Facebook does a little voice in your head bellow "Not another planet-destroying parasite doomed to live in a world aflame!!!"

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tempnamechange98765 · 20/09/2020 20:26

@Bunkumum actually laughing out loud at your answer!

In answer to the OP, um because no one has a crystal ball? The world could end tomorrow or it could end up being AMAZING in 10, 20 or 30 years time. What a ridiculously negative thread.

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Hardbackwriter · 20/09/2020 20:28

@DilloDaf

Why did people in the 17th century have kids when the life expectancy was 35, and disease was rife?

Because 17c women didn't have the luxury of choosing whether or not to have children.
Some posters seem to think reliable contraception has existed for hundreds of years Grin.

Contraception as reliable as we have now hasn't always existed but the concept of contraception always has. The average American woman had 7 children in 1800 but 2.5 in 1900 - do you really think that people weren't doing anything to influence that? Contraception and abortion were both known about and practised in the 1700s, not with modern levels of efficacy (and with a lot more danger, for the abortions) but people have always known that there are things you can do to make having a baby much less likely.
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SomewhereEast · 20/09/2020 20:29

@OhCaptain

I remember 20 years ago people saying by 2020 the world would be over

Have you been awake for this year? Grin

Joking aside, isn't it something like 100 corporations who produce 71% of emissions? Those are the changes we need to focus on. Not people reproducing.

Oohhh and just in case anyone mentions Covid, I'm going to put my history PhD hat on and say that Covid isn't even in the top ten thousand Bad Things Which Have Happened To Humanity.
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WellThisWentWell · 20/09/2020 20:29

YANBU.
I agree with you.
In my 30’s childfree by choice.

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IHateCoronavirus · 20/09/2020 20:30

The love I share with my family is amazing. My eldest, so far, has had 5497 days of pure love and support, laughter, happiness, new experiences.
Yes, one day life might be tough, and he may suffer, the thought terrifies me, but the idea that I would have deprived him of what he has had, based on what might be, I find very sad.

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thecognoscenti · 20/09/2020 20:30

I don't think there's much to be gained from pretending that the ecological situation isn't absolutely dire.
Yeah it's upsetting and not nice - doesn't mean it's not true.
People throwing their toys out of the pram about how the OP is saying things which aren't all sunshine and positivity are burying their heads, unfortunately.

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UnshakenNeedsStirring · 20/09/2020 20:31

You are right OP. The future is grim :(
If I was deciding now, I wouldnt have any kids. No point bringing them in such a hostile world.

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Tfoot75 · 20/09/2020 20:32

I think your post is totally bonkers and it's potentially a good thing when people who live in an alternative reality don't pass that on to the next generation.

I've lived for over 30 years now and in that time the climate has not changed in this country noticeably at all. There is a good deal less suffering, imaginable or not, in the world these days than there ever has been in the past. The present day (covid aside) would have been unimaginable 30 years ago and not in a wholly negative way. We have no idea of what the next 30 years will bring, and absolutely no indication that it will bring unimaginable suffering. Perhaps choose reality?

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sharpeidiem · 20/09/2020 20:32

@thecognoscenti @UnshakenNeedsStirring

But you can / could have made this choice on your own! It's not necessary to come onto a parenting forum and shame people for having children, like the OP has done honestly.

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MrsExpo · 20/09/2020 20:33

Totally agree OP. I am childless (through choice) largely for the reasons you state. I really can’t see that the world we are now creating will be a place I would want to inflict on my decedents in 30-40 years time.

Over populated, as polluted as hell, running out of natural resources and politically shot to shit. I’m 66. I hope to be well out of it by then.

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swabthenose · 20/09/2020 20:33

I still think it's a beautiful world, filled with mostly good people and a lot of reason to hope for the future.

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Brot64 · 20/09/2020 20:33

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

GrinGrinthis has really made me laugh out loud and I needed a laugh. Thank you.

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Ylvamoon · 20/09/2020 20:33

OP - I believe thinking about the state of the world and climate change in particular is your way of dealing with the fact that you won't have children. I gather from your post, that this is in part a conscious decision - one I have a lot of respect for!
I think biology dictates that we all have the urge to reproduce... the happiness and peace you get from meeting your new born is a unique feeling. There is great satisfaction in caring and raising this little person, seeing them develop and grow, giving them a fabulous now and investing into the future.
Human beings are very adaptable and resilient, we as a species are on a destruction course, but we are also very innovative and will create a future worth living for generations to come...

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Lozz22 · 20/09/2020 20:35

Because for me and my OH time is running out due to age.

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PablosHoney · 20/09/2020 20:35

Happy to help @Brot64 😀

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PablosHoney · 20/09/2020 20:36

@sharpeidiem I think it’s definitely the idiom that misery loves company that applied her.

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Pinkyandthebrainz · 20/09/2020 20:36

Agree OP. I'd feel too much guilt.

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Wakemeupwhenthisisover · 20/09/2020 20:36

@OhCaptain

I remember 20 years ago people saying by 2020 the world would be over

Have you been awake for this year? Grin

Joking aside, isn't it something like 100 corporations who produce 71% of emissions? Those are the changes we need to focus on. Not people reproducing.

I’ve been awake, the world very much isn’t over. Life is tough for many but I'm still having fun where I can! My children and thriving and happy and bringing me a lot of joy.
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CountreeGurl · 20/09/2020 20:36

Selfishness and societal pressure and running out of things to talk about

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