Anyone with more than 2 children??? You are irresponsible, apparantly................

[Flumpybumpy]

see here

I can't help but think that some sort of hideous environmental disaster will rectify it all anyway....

Well put me in the stocks and throw rotten veg at me . .

I have 5 and one on the way .

Is it just a matter of population size? Is there no other behaviour that has as much as a significant impact on the global environment?

There are those who believe the Earth is capable of producing more than enough food for all. The problem is persuading those who insist on meat that meat is not the only option.

By mrmagoo Thu 19-Feb-09 19:28:45 All that tedious crap about using other people's quotas to salve our consciences is bollocks as we need to cut down the population not maintain it.

I think you'll find we were joking. I certainly wasn't tryng to salve my conscience. I have my second on the way and if I choose to have more I won't feel the least bit guilty. Aren't I wicked?

[throws fennel at the outrageously fecund ComeWhinewithMe]

But aren't you bothered, PuzzleRocks, by the idea that all those children you may so guiltlessly produce will be the ones too suffer? I'm not suggesting that you're wicked, by the way. Unless deliberately producing children to live in an difficult and at worst untenable situation is wicked.

Absolutely but we all do our bit in other ways so I honestly believe that the endeavours we make offset the potential impact of that possible third child. My daughter is only 22 months and already eco-aware (as much as one can be at that age). She will continue to be raised in this manner.
I'm afraid I am rather cynical about such rhetoric from a government who just backed another runaway at Heathrow.

Oh this one agaoin

Someone pass me the garbage disposal for the two extra boys- do I get to xchoose which ones?

Guilt?Nope. Maybe when i've gone the 1 or 2 non Sn ds'swilladvocate for their disabled sibling: I can't feel an ounce of guilt about that.

Oh I will force myself a few minutes guilt when those who have chosen to have no children based on this decide to hand over allpension rights for the mnoey created by my boys in the future.Seem afair del [amile]

Of course it'sfarmore complex that too many kids! Welive ion an ever changing world and any day now there could be an influenza outbreak that wipes out a massiveproportion of our society meaning we ae grateful (if we survive) for every last citizen left. We also live in a top heavy society and those bemoaning population expansion actually need to address the reality of that also, whilst we (rightly in myopinion but even so) spend more and more on extension of lives and disease research we are exaccerbating the issues and then certain people with an agenda (and I remember the first time this came up on here, when the people-with-an-agenda-but-never-been-on-MN brigade piled in) suggest its all the fault of people with more than their 'quota'. As if things are ever that simplistic!

So Peachy, does that mean you are advocating having extra children to compensate for those we will inevitably lose in the event of a pandemic? Sounds like a lose-lose situation for the poor sods - either they die horribly of some virulent disease or live to face a grim future.

Ok Mr Magoo all the lovely people who care about the environment should limit their procreation and the half wits who don't care a jot should 'people else the isle with Calibans' - grreat

Obv there should be a compulsory sterilisation programme for teens who don't pick up their litter, coupled with a ban on fertility treatment and a euthansia programme for the over 75's that should sort it!

I'm not worried about my kids, because I am teaching them how to build wattle and daub houses and survive on a diet of sand and grasses.

MrMagoo, grim futures (aka interesting times)are the stuff of life, evolution is born from struggle. Happiness is a natural myth created to disguise the fact that life without struggle is actually quite pointless. Bit like The Matrix.

No Mrmagoo i'm advocating not preventing a family from having children: huge difference!

value each family,whether tiny,middling or alrge for what it personally brings to the party.

Kay me too LOL, I will contemplate deeply our environmental impact on the trip to the eco farm with no electricity, solar power and not far to travel shortly. Becasue as you can tell I don't care at all .

It's about balance. For some the chidlren are the most important ting uin their lives, I'm happy to relaise that means I have to work harder at reducing my footprint everwhere else. Yes I need (as in DH couldnt work without it, no decent transport and disbaled children), a bigger car so this very morning we purchased a smart car which means our 'big' one will be used 1-2 times a week instead of every day often twice; we camp instead of fly; we recycle; we used washable nappiesd as long as we could (with the boys needs I didnt manage it for ds4 but I didnt ask for the autism)....... OK I know its not enough but i'm prepared togive up a lot for the extra 2 children,and have done.

Life is never so clear cut as statistics make it seem.
Very unfair to lump everyone together like that as clearly some members of society must generate loads more carbon footprint than others.
I do not feel at all irresponsible about choosing to have more than 2 children as long as I am able to provide for them.
If all the eco warriors out there wish to go and get sterilised for the sake of the planet let them get on with it and stop dictating to the rest of us how we should live.

I have 4 DCS and who knows what the future holds for anyone them. (of course they will find a cure for the cold, man flu and head lice )

I dont think we are being irresponsible but then again I could be quite judgy and give you a list of irresponsible parents (For example: just seen a 6 year old walking into the local pub to find his parents, who have been there all day, he went to find them because he was hungry! but then again another child I know has every electric gadget going and leaves them on all the time, day and night! ) Good job I dont judge others isn't it??

Divinintervention, I think just like your goodself that DS3 and DD4 the two children I should not have had according to the plonk that wrote the article might very well be amongst the ones who will save our planet.

I was about to write a long rant about how my family recycles and the fact I do not drive but decided against. I decided I do not have to justifie my family choices to someone I have never met but who nevertheless sees fit to blame people with more than two DCs for the way our planet is going. Surely ther are things that put the planet in more danger than us!

Oh I should mention that I havent read the article as the DCs are up and swearing at the PC is best done in private imho

Really we should all have no children and let the human race die out altogether. Surely that would be the best thing for the environment as the human race does not really contibute anything positive to our planet does it?

(I'm expecting number four by the way )

All my family is dead except me, my brother and my second cousin and my in laws are dead too. I'm just redressing the balance. And so far my three are kind thoughtful little people and I will never feel irresponsible for giving them to the world.

James Lovelock (the Gaia theory guy) said in an article the other day that human's breathing alone is repsonsible for 25% of greenhouse gases. Looking bad ladies...

Congratulations mersmam!

Isn't this just another way to make the middle class feel eco-guilt? Unfortunately my DP thinks a little along these same lines but he's an only chld so knows nothing of the joy of siblings! I'm one of 3 and I'd love 4. Only one DS so far so I've got a whle to work on DP! Who mentioned a candle-lit bath and wine? That's a plan..

I happen to know that Mr Porritt's own brother has 3 children...