To think that having kids is selfish in today’s world?

[WorthyRedBeaker]

With the planet facing overpopulation, climate change, and dwindling resources, isn’t it selfish to keep having kids? AIBU to think that choosing to have children now is more about personal desires than about what’s best for the world?

yabu

Falling birth rates brings its own set of complications though, when there are too many pension claimers and too few working age people to pay taxes. I don't know what the answer is.

Who cares if it's not illegal....which it isn't!

It's not illegal to be selfish either

What silly person posted this?

When was having kids ever about what's best for the world? People have them because they want to or think it's just what married couples do. I don't think anyone has them thinking little Spirulina will save the world.

Isn't having kids always about personal desires? I don't know anybody who had kids 'for the good of the planet'

Nah we need to keep making more people to do all the jobs that existing people will eventually stop doing and retire.

Completely agree with you OP.

The birth rate is falling significantly. That may be a good thing in some ways (sustainability etc) but who will create the wealth of the future?

Governments need to start implementing incentives for not having kids. And the UN needs to pressure other countries to follow suit.

Lol at the idea that having kids was ever about "what's best for the world". Having kids is nice and people hope to raise adults who will contribute in a positive manner to society. But creating even more humans has never been what's best for the world, even 200 years ago.

😂 well that's not going to happen is it!!

AIBU to think that choosing to have children now is more about personal desires than about what’s best for the world?

When was it ever done due to some altruistic ‘best for the world’ reason?

Like China's one child policy? Yeah not sure that ended so well.

Pretty much every human action is selfish. None of us so anything without there being some benefit to us. Even genuinely "selfless" good deeds bring us that warm fuzzy feeling or we wouldn't do it. People might kid themselves otherwise, but they're wrong.

People have never had children for the good of the world. It's just what happens when you have 2 animals at a stage of reproductive maturity and different sexes.

Biological urges innit.

If you don't want them then don't have them. If you do want them but worry about whether the planet can support them, or whether they'll have good lives given increasing competition for resources, don't have them, but I'm not going to give you a sticker.

Having kids has always been a selfish endeavour. The world has been through two world wars, the Cold War, the Black Death, and countless other major things that aren't really conducive to having kids. Yet it continues because having children is quite a primal thing. I'd like to think most people are glad they exist and don't wish they had never been born.

And the state of the world is actually a lot better in many ways than it ever has been. My kids will have access to better education, healthcare and, particularly as they are girls, employment opportunities than they would have had 100 years ago.

Why reduce the pool of young people though? You need new blood & new life, perhaps people are selfish for wanting to live long lives?

Agree. I'm 19 and wish my mom never had me. I hate life so much. I sleep through most of it. I will never have children because I think it's the most selfish thing you can do.

Governments need to start implementing incentives for not having kids

Most of the West doesn’t have enough kids…..

I think when it boils down to it most of our decisions we make are selfish.
Having kids is also a decision influenced by society and biology though, it makes more sense to me than other selfish choices people make that destroy the planet.

E.g. flying all the time for weekends away. I mean, really?! Is it that hard to fly less?
Is it that hard to be a vegetarian?

I could happily live without flying or meat but couldn't have had a fulfilling life without having children. That's just me, I respect people's right to choose.

Tell that to the American Republicans.

Having kis is selfish.
Not having kids is selfish

I wish people would get a life of their own.🙄

The birth rate is falling significantly. That may be a good thing in some ways (sustainability etc) but who will create the wealth of the future?

This is why we are struggling so much now.

Isn't the birth rate is falling though?