Do you want to be responsible for bring children into the world?

@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
March 5, 2010 8:58pm CST
I once asked a friend who had recently married, if they planned on having children. His answer was unique to say the least, and really got me thinking. Without hesitation he replied, "oh no, I wouldn't want to be responsible for bringing another person into this world. I'm not even sure I want to be here myself". When I realized that he was sincere I got to thinking about how most couples get so excited about having children, and here was someone who wasn't even sure that it was right to bring a child into the world! I know that the human race would soon disappear if everyone thought that way, yet did my friend have a point? Everyone born must also die and so many people are scared of death. Some people think about dying so much that they never enjoy life, is it fair to cause anyone so much worry and illness? Let me make it clear that I don't agree with my friend but I'm wondering if there are those on myLot who would agree with him. Please lets hear your thoughts.
4 people like this
17 responses
@phoenix8606 (4942)
6 Mar 10
hi Pose! Yes, I will definitely want to be responsible for bringing children into the world, because I think that there is really nothing more lovely and precious than that to have children, your own blood and flesh, for whom you can care and who you will love with all your heart, because children make our live happier and more reasonable too! I have never thought about that having no children, because it means something terrible to me!
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi phoenix, Thank you for commenting and I think most people think like you. Blessings.
7 Mar 10
you are welcome at any time Pose!!!
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
I've already had one child and we will be bringing a second one into this world in August. If you ask my baby girl what kind of a job I'm doing, I'd imagine she'd say we are doing just fine. I'm very excited and happy about having children.
1 person likes this
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
7 Mar 10
Well...thank you for thinking I sound like an excellent mother...but I'd much rather sound like an awesome father... ;-)
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi chad, Thank you for commenting and you sound like an excellent mother. Blessings.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
15 Mar 10
I think in these Days I would not bring a child into the world When I was pregnant with my Son 26 years ago I was wondering then what the future holds for my Children but it was not as bad then and like us they just accept what it has become to from when they where Children but I do not believe that I would put a child in the world today without thinking about it very clearly
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
16 Mar 10
Hi gabs, Thank you for responding and I know where you are coming from, however, I wonder if we are being too fearful. Blessings.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
We had to adopt and I wanted to have five or six children, but we were only allowed to adopt once as I did not get married until I was in my late 20s, because well no one would marry me. But when I see my two precious grandchildren, I wish there were less people like your friend because with less children in the world, there are less children for people like me to adopt. My two adopted sons would not have been born and my two grandchildren would not be here and my husband and I would have been extremely lonely. Children are precious and when they are taken for granted it is a sad thing. And for someone to feel that children are a burden is horrible.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi suspenseful, Thank you for commenting and we agree. I don't believe that my friend thinks of children as a burden, but doesn't want to put another through the pain and suffering that is so often associated with life. That certainly isn't my way of thinking. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
6 Mar 10
Well, I think that having kids is a big job ,and not everyone is prepared for such a big task. Your friend is making the right decision ,and we would not have so many problems if people would take family planning serious. I can't imagined my life without my kids ,but some people don't need kids to feel complete and is just fine with me.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi Mirita, Thank you for such a common sense approach to this discussion. Blessings.
@Roseo8 (2947)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi Pose....Well in a way I think your friend is right...I mean if he has not made a success of his own life and dont want to bring another human being into this world I feel he is being practical and wise.But since this is not the attitude that will be followed by all human beings,its not going to affect the overall human population in any way..... But majority of couples are eager to have children and want to care for them and to see that they settle well in life...In this era of population explosion I feel its essential that couple have children only if they want it,and should not be forced to have children if they are not ready for it for personal reason..this way there will only be healthy and happy children around us...he..he....Dont you think so Pose????
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
10 Mar 10
Hi Rose, Thank you for your comment. It isn't that my friend hasn't made a success of his life, but rather is unsure that he could be the parent that a child would need in today's world. I think too that he is being practical in thinking of the child. Blessings.
@youless (112222)
• Guangzhou, China
6 Mar 10
I was pregnant after marriage for a month. So it is out of our expectation. Even though, we are responsible for our child. If he is ill or unhappy, I will be unhappy, too. His happiness is my happiness. I love him so much and more than everything. I am willing to spend most of my free time with him and try to create a good environment for him to grow up. He shall have a happy childhood. I can't imagine that parents will treat their children bad. It is just so bad. I can't understand them at all. I love China
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi youless, Thank you for commenting and I agree with you. I know that my friend is not one to treat children badly, prehaps he fears life too much. Blessings.
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Not everybody can have children, so if some don't want to that evens things out in the big picture. But I don't like the negativity. The world is what it is. We can try to make it better, but getting depressed about it and spreading that depression to others just isn't productive. Maybe he needs to see a Dr?
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi AnnieOakley, Thank you for commenting and I don't like negativity either but it's my friends way of looking at things. Blessings.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
6 Mar 10
Your friend is not the only one having the same thoughts. When we think of the responsibilty, the idea of having children, and raising them to be responsible people, the task appears daunting. On the other hand children can bring light into the family, starting from the early years. If they become good people, the parents can be proud of making a big contribution to the society. Currently there are countries which are having zero or negative population growth. At least one government is trying to encourage its citizens to have children. This is proof that having children is important if we do not want the structure of the society to crumble. If we bring religion into this discussion then it will become a long one.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi rosdimy, Thank you for commenting and I think that the responsibility of raising children is also in my friends thoughts. Blessings.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
6 Mar 10
I must say I have mixed feelings about this. But mankind has never lived an easy life, and I'm not sure we would be at all advanced if we had. Is it a basic responsibilty to continue the spieces? Is our life form of great importance? If our life form is no longer available will life replace us with something else? I don't know the answers.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi savypat, Thank you for your usual well thought out response. There is so much that we don't understand but it seems that life has built into most of us the desire to have children and thus continue the species. I'm convinced that life continues and should we destroy the human race, the energy that we are are, will continue somewhere and in some form. Like you, I don't know the answers, we can only express how we feel. Blessings.
• Philippines
6 Mar 10
it depends to each of us as its their own perception. as for me, i really love children maybe because im the youngest and never got the chance to have a sibling that is younger than me. thats why i've been wishing to have a baby before and everyone knows it, i even told them that i dont care if theres a father or not. well, i really say that before as i have a good paying job that time and i know i can give my child a good life even if being a single mom. but now, i guess i want to eat what i've said before coz i realize that its really hard being a single mom maybe because i dont have job or any means of daily income. but then its still my baby and so i will do my best to be responsible enough by giving my child a good life. and so i will be more matured enough now and i will give my best to look for a high paying job same as what i had before and i know that everything will turn out well.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi homeshoppers, Thank you for commenting and just keep on being a good mom. Love and understanding means more than material possessions but I also hope that you will fine that job you're loving for. Blessings.
@kaylachan (60265)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Mar 10
I can't say I completely agree or disagree with your friend. In fact this subject conflicts me. I am a woman and my bilogical clock is telling me that I want to have children, but the more rational side of me knows with my laundry list of health conditions that that wouldn't be in my, or the best interest of the child. It wouldn't really be "fair" to them and I wouuldn't want to willingly put a child through that type of drama. I don't think that it would be fair for him or her to have to grow up with a mother who was tired all of the time, easily weekned, and unable to provide for him or her. I know that if I were to get pregnant I wouldn't have any other choice other then adoption. I wouldn't for health and finical reasons be able to care for a child the way I would like.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi kaylachan, Thank you for commenting and I completely understand where you are coming from. Blessings.
• Philippines
6 Mar 10
Hi there I think it would depend on the situation of the couple and their perception in life.I am one of those who doesn't like children and being surrounded by crying babies all the time, i just consider them as something that is cute to look at when they are laughing thats all. Most of my friends got married and had kids already and though it kinda changed my mind,I guess I am not ready for that yet.I'm still incomplete and there are a lot of things that I would want to pursue before finally settling down. I would want a child of my own in the future,whenever that is, however I would want to be absolutely ready so I can give the very best of everything to them.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
7 Mar 10
Hi shadowkissed, Thank you responding and I think you make a good point. Blessings.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
I chose at a very young age, 17, to not have children. As it turned out, I never married and having or not having children never became an issue. I don't regret my decision. I like children, other people's children, most of the time (when they've been properly parented), but I still don't think I had what it takes to be a good parent. Unfortunately, I know way too many people who should have thought twice before starting a family. We're not all cut out to be parents -- good parents, parents who can afford to provide for their children. And if we can't get our act together as a Nation (taking care of the national debt, e.g.), what are we leaving to our kids? I'm extremely concerned about our national debt, failures/soon-to-be failures (Medicaid, SCHIP, etc.) of our health-care and other social programs, etc. Until we get these fixed (and Obama Care ISN'T going to do it), if ever, I too would be hesitant about bringing another child in to this world. What I don't worry about is too few people or zero population growth. There are more than enough nations having way too many children without adequate money, resources, etc. to properly take care of their kids.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
7 Mar 10
Hi hofferp, Thank you for your response and I do see your point. Blessings.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
I have some close relatives who were career people, and who never had time for marriage, to say nothing of Children. Their lives were exciting, as they traveled extensively with their work. Everything was wonderful until the years began to add up, and they began to slow down. It soon became obvious that they were becoming lonesome in their old age. They then, began to associate with younger relatives, as if this involvement would lesson the age difference. There is no doubt that Children are the butter on the toast of life. I Thank God for my Family every day because, they, more than anything else, keep me young!
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi barehugs, Thank you for commenting and I agree, my family mean so much to me as well but to each his own. It isn't that my friend doesn't like children and they live a quiet life and don't travel, it's just his way of thinking. Blessings.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
6 Mar 10
Well, I agree with your friend. At least from my point of view I don't want to have kids myself because there is so much pain and bad things they will have to deal with, and I don't really want to be responsible of taking someone so that person will have to suffer. I'm not saying the others not to have kids, just the reason why I am not going to have kids myself.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi madteaparty, Thank you for commenting and I can see your point. Blessings.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
6 Mar 10
Without kids, life will not be meaningful. Me and my wife are love marriage. We want our love to live for years and years in the form of our child and his generations. So problems are their in all life. Saying no to child and fearing for responsibility means you are not gonna live
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
6 Mar 10
Hi besthope, Thank you for your comment, I too love children. Blessings.