Are everyone "supposed" to have children?
- Thread starter JesterFace
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kids are as normal as anything else. if you don't want to have them don't. if the birth control fails, well, its not the end of the world. I didn't think I'd be a good dad, but I can say I think I did ok now. And I know I wouldn't have been who i am without them.
I'm not entirely certain I believe in free will anymore, except as a way we sort of think through all the stuff that happens in life. We're causes & conditions at various stages on the tapestry, woven in, unraveling and reweaving. People shouldn't be shamed into having children, but at the same time they shouldn't feel some constraint against having them either from societal pressures. We're animals. We have babies. Or we don't. Just take care of them if you do.
I'm not entirely certain I believe in free will anymore, except as a way we sort of think through all the stuff that happens in life. We're causes & conditions at various stages on the tapestry, woven in, unraveling and reweaving. People shouldn't be shamed into having children, but at the same time they shouldn't feel some constraint against having them either from societal pressures. We're animals. We have babies. Or we don't. Just take care of them if you do.
the opposite seems true. When humans are threatened due to war, or other dangers, birthrates climb.
Whatever it is that makes you want to have kids I just don't possess - it's is not even in the category of "I have thought about it" - it's never occured to me and I've never considered it. This seems more of a problem for people than if I had thought a lot about it and decided against it.
No, not everyone is supposed to have kids. Not everyone can, not everyone wants to. I never wanted them and luckily ended up with a medical condition which completely precludes me having children (I had a hysterectomy many years ago in my early 30s, which turned out to be absolutely awesome for me in the long run). My husband similarly does not want children. We have a beloved cat, a nice home, and plenty else to keep us busy.
My parents I think would like grandchildren on some level but....They also really enjoy their free time too!! They travel, bike, bike, kayak, and have lots of friends. They have flat out told me they would not have been a de facto daycare if I had had kids and often lament their friends who have to babysit grandkids because we live in a world where having children is almost prohibitively expensive.
One last thought. Years ago I read an newspaper column wherein someone asked the columnist if humans were the only animals to have sex for pleasure and not solely for procreation. The columnist pointed out that animals very likely have sex for pleasure and/or by instinct rather than because they have a conscious drive to procreate. I have always thought about that when people talk about our drive to have children. Sure, people do have a conscious drive to have children, but I wonder if it's as strongly biologically motivated as we give it credit for. If the primary natural procedure for impregnation meant doing something truly unpleasant like communal nose picking, would we be so keen on it?
My parents I think would like grandchildren on some level but....They also really enjoy their free time too!! They travel, bike, bike, kayak, and have lots of friends. They have flat out told me they would not have been a de facto daycare if I had had kids and often lament their friends who have to babysit grandkids because we live in a world where having children is almost prohibitively expensive.
One last thought. Years ago I read an newspaper column wherein someone asked the columnist if humans were the only animals to have sex for pleasure and not solely for procreation. The columnist pointed out that animals very likely have sex for pleasure and/or by instinct rather than because they have a conscious drive to procreate. I have always thought about that when people talk about our drive to have children. Sure, people do have a conscious drive to have children, but I wonder if it's as strongly biologically motivated as we give it credit for. If the primary natural procedure for impregnation meant doing something truly unpleasant like communal nose picking, would we be so keen on it?
Everyone should have a child at least once. Preferably with a side of broccoli and a good red wine.
I’ve thought of the perfect name for my potential future child: Ana Bortion. 
I’ve thought of the perfect name for my potential future child: Ana Bortion.
I might give mine a Japanese name: No Kidman
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