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?

No it wasn't a choice I agree.

Exactly.

Reliable, freely available contraception is a very new thing. So is the concept of women having equal rights and opportunities outside the home. Give women the choice, and they will have fewer children, or none at all. That has been shown across the globe, time and time again.

I think an extremely slow reduction would probably not be a bad thing. The problem is more that some countries are looking at population collapse because of drastic falls in birth rates.

Honestly I don’t think it’s people having too many children avergae thats the problem. Population is expected to peak this century and then drop.

No in fact people should be having more.

People? You mean women?

I know some think history means "the 70s" lol

History isn’t just 200 yrs ago though….

When looking back on family trees it wasn't uncommon to have 6/7/8 children. There wasn't the expectations like nowadays though and certainly no state one supported them!

You aren’t wrong there. People wouldn’t expect cars, mobiles, etc when they hadn’t been invented….
And it certainly wasn’t the case that it was only rich people having 8 dc.

Birth rates are falling in part because housing & living costs are too high. I’m not sure how that squares with the idea that people expect the state to support them. And going back all those years ago no one was supported by the state but plenty of people without dc expect that help now.

Of course not. It’s a natural human desire and function. It’s our whole purpose!

People who really want children have every right to have them.

There are others who get themselves sterilised to avoid the chance of having kids.

What's most important, is that we have a c h o i c e.

What are you wanting op? Everyone just stopping or?

With the planet facing overpopulation, climate change, and dwindling resources, isn’t it selfish to continue living beyond 70? AIBU to think that choosing to live longer is more about personal desires than about what’s best for the world?

Wind them up and watch them go...

With the planet facing overpopulation, climate change, and dwindling resources, isn’t it selfish to continue living beyond 70? AIBU to think that choosing to live longer is more about personal desires than about what’s best for the world?

Economically it’s a huge issue so mandatory euthanasia for all of us at a certain age?

Yes, Logan's Run

No history isn't 200 years lol. Family trees were just an example.

The point is, the more kids people have now the more selfish because so much more is expected and it costs the state so much, unlike throughout history.

The point is, the more kids people have now the more selfish because so much more is expected and it costs the state so much, unlike throughout history.

I don’t think you have a point, lol.

@ObtuseMoose on the other hand, "Little Spiralina Saves The World" would make a fantastic title for a kids book

Who do you think is going to solve climate change and build a more sustainable world OP?

It's not gonna be us, the ones that ruined it. It's gonna be our kids

Do those who think it's selfish to have children now have children themselves?

I remember a thread on here during the pandemic saying those who were ttc at the time were selfish, mad, out of their minds, destroying the planet, etc.

Most of the people on that thread were parents themselves, only, when they had had their children "it was a different time", "the world wasn't as bad then", "things have got so much worse since I had mine".

In other words, massive hypocrites 🤔🤔

I don't think people were ever having children because it was the best thing for the world.
I agree that there is terrible over population and the best thing for the world would be for there to be less people.

Well yes women give birth but it takes two to tango.

Kids are a very useful commodity in some countries, they make your clothes and go into hard to reach places in the mines, including the cobalt mines, you know an element which is needed for the batteries in our nice clean running electric cars. Get rid of the kids, and an adult might get wasted doing the job. Wasn't that long ago, we were shoving 'em up chimneys and occasionally mutilating pressing them in the textile mills, guess we've gone a bit soft in this country, that's why you don't appreciate them OP.

But seriously the only thing which is selfish when it comes to children is not meeting their basic needs (food, love, a safe place to sleep, adequate clothing, and some form of education)/ keeping them safe / and not turning a blind eye in this country and all countries globally; if you want a broken or fucked up adult (the ultimate killing machine) then look at the horrific abuse and living conditions a number of kids globally have to endure.

Who will look after your kids when they get older?
I presume they won't be having kids, so who will pay their pensions, and contribute to the working world if they are the last generation?

@SoftLittleBunnyRabbit one of the most depressing things about Covid was realising how stupid much of the population is. My favourites were the “Im jogging in the park and it’s packed, don’t people realise we are in lockdown” or the responses to parents fretting about juggling home schooling & work, “You shouldn’t have had dc if you didn’t want to look after them” 🤦‍♀️

Of course it isn't. And of course it's more about personal desires than what's best for the world. I get judged having 5 children but I truly don't care - they're happy and healthy, I am happy and healthy. Having children and not having children - neither are selfish!

Probably not to you who instantly thinks of history as the 70s or thereabouts 😆