If you decide to have children, is it really worth it?

In a world with rapidly increasing population, already almost beyond the capacity of the Earth to support it, we are facing ever and ever less to go around, ever and ever more environmental damage, ever and ever decreasing standards of living, and ever and ever increasing differences between the haves and the have nots. Why on earth would one decide to have children? What are we condemning them to? I truly feel sad for the child I sired in my relative youth. I wouldn't be his age for quids. And he lives in one of the richest and best managed countries in the world; how can one feel anything but deep sorrow for the billions in the less developed world? Is it really worth it? Lash

I've just never felt any desire to have children. I'm sure for people that want them they're wonderful, but I've never looked at one and thought ooh, I want one. no I won't change my mind. lots of people don't want children. if a man says he doesn't want children no one nudges him in the ribs, tells him he'll change his mind and then push their offspring in his face in the imagining that their child will change his mind where everyone elses haven't. and I'm not a bad person. children just aren't something I particularly want in my life. I love my husband, I'm kind, I care about people, I'm affectionate. I'm a good person. I just don't feel any urge to have children.

I think it is hard to decide if it is worth it or not. There are times when I feel like I made the wrong choice. As much as I love kids and love my kids, I sometimes wish my husband and I had the freedom to just go where and when we want. But then one of them will give me a smile and I melt and remember that is why I wanted kids. I want a loving family who can grow and be together. It is life changing and wonderful even when sometimes things aren't so wonderful. Now, will I feel that way when we hit the teenage years? lol. I don't know, but I guess we'll make it through them.

Uhm, no offense meant to anyone but asking a child's worth is kinda like asking are you worth having? like maybe you didnt turn out as what your parents wanted you to be so you're not really worth having..? A child is a person, just like you and me, whether they've been born or not. So asking the worth of having a child is kinda like asking your personal worth. Aside from that, I do understand the point you're trying to make in your discussion details. A child is not just some toy that you can take for granted because of circumstances. They are indeed a responsibility. I guess its just not a question of worth, but a question of readiness. I mean if a couple or a person is ready to have a child in all aspects, and not just having a child for the sake of having a child to continue on the race/name/family line, etc. Again, no offense meant to anyone, and that's just what I think anyways.

i always wanted children,i wanted loads,until i discovered how horrible pregnancy was,so i stuck with 3 kids,,i'd never knock anyone that didn't want kids,that's their choice,but i find it hard to understand why they don't,i suppose because i've always wanted them

Well I personally think everybody at some point in their lives should have or raise children . What is the one true biological point of life , to make more life! . Seriously that is kind of like a debt you owe to nature to keep the genes passing on .

If there was anything about my life I'd never think of changing, it would be having children. Sure, there were times when the kids were growing up that I didn't cope so well, but now that they're grown, I know that nothing else I've done in my life has been as satisfying as they are. I can't imagine getting to be my age and not having children and grandchildren around me.

Yes I think having children is well worth it. They are a wonderful gift. Responsibility comes with the package but so does many years of exciting experiences. We have three children and I wouldn't change my life. In fact, we would have had more children if it was possible. I wanted six. I'm a very proud mom and now a proud grandma.

" Life changing" is right. Is it worth it? It depends. There are people who have dreamt of being a parent ever since they knew where babies came from. While others Never wanted kids Ever. and then there are people who never planned to have kids but are happy if they come or if they don't. It all depends on the person. For me, I made up my mind when I was 7 that I Never wanted children and nothing has changed my mind. I don't have the patience or the desire to take care of a baby.My idea of a baby isn't a infant let's say. But that's me. I hope that everyone who Wants a baby gets to have or adopt one.

At 22 I don't have the desire for children. I realize this is very young and If one day I change my mind, something that is known to happen to women, my plan B is to adopt.

Yes I do I think it's most I am so lucky to have children its such a lovely fulment to think that you can carry a another child which will grow and be somebody it could be a teacher or presdent or lawyer which is something nice. we are very lucky and I would have allot more than just one. cd

I made a decision a long time ago to never have children. Unfortunately, fate stepped in and I now have a 20 year old daughter. I love her, I truly do. But I never would have chosen to have a kid. They are a HUGE responsibility. I don't care that she's an adult, I still spend all my time worrying about her. Worrying about her being attacked, hurt, no one around to help her. She's a very responsible adult, and doesn't want "Mom" to run her life. So I have to just deal with the worry. I'm sorry, but no, it's not really worth it. I'd kill anybody who tried to take her from me, but this constant worry about what could happen to her isn't much fun. Then again, you have to realize, I was never cut out to be mother material. I just had to do the best I could for her sake.

if i decide to have children,i think that it is really worth it.when i get older and older,i feel alone in my life,i hope that having children in my marriage make us happy and make my marriage more perfect than before,i know that i would sacrifice for them,including my time and work,but i find it is really worth it.when i get older,i hope that my life is not alone,at least i can see my chidren around me and live happy.

having children is a very interesting thing..we have to enjoy the charm of being humans..children help us in coming out of stress some how..and having a refreshment in boring context..in hard tasking daily life we have to feel relaxation and for preparing ourselves in the direction of another assignment we should be with our children..

For me It is definatly worth it! I have four of them and also provide daycare for other peoples children. My life is pretty hard at times and never a dull moment. But one think I know for sure is that I would not trade the life of having my children for anything.

I have 3 kids and 2 grandkids. Although my youngest is still at home with me, I am glad I had kids and yes, it was worth it although sometimes while they were younger I really thought it would have been easier to breed dogs or something else that couldn't give me a hard time and that I didn't have to wake up for school. Even though there are hard times and frustrations, it is well worth it. I really like spending time with my grand babies and they are more fun to hang out with than my kids were when they were little...I think just because I don't have to take care of them 24/7.

I have a four month old son and I could not imagine not having him now. He can get expensive with the diapers, clothes, formula, etc. But, it seems like such a small price to pay for something so amazing. I found myself thinking a few days ago that I simply could not understand the parents who neglect their children, or cause them harm. I couldn't even imagine doing that, even on his fussiest days. I wish more people had children because they were ready and wanted them and not as an "ooops!" but, I can't make them be responsible.

yes yes it is worth it i want you to think of this and i see this everyday we have children to change our lifes and carry the genreation on yes they get on your nerves one day and you can't help loveing them the next day but when you get older and maybe have to be in a resthome and that is all you have to look forward to is seeing your children if you didn't have any you would have nothing to look forward to and you will just look out the window all day.you will also find that you will love your grand children more than your own because you our not supporting them and have more time for them . but you know if god gives you a child it is a gift and he must trust you with it so love it spoil it and enjoy life.

I have 3 kids, and truthfully there are days when I wish that I didnt have any. There are so many problems these days when you have kids. On top of it all, I have one child whom is autistic, another one that is slightly retarded, then a typical child. So I have to say I have my hands full. But if I had to do it again, I dont think I would have kids. I will tell you this, once you have kids, you wont ever be able to save money, you cant even go to the bathroom alone, because all 3 come in yelling at each other. There is no peace once you have kids, its like your whole life is completely gone.

I totally agree with you about responsability. I am not a person who wants to have children but my sister had such a strong instictive urge to mother that it pained her at times I think. She had miscarriages and eventually completed a family of three healthy children. Unfortunately what is happening is that people are having kids before they are ready. They want them. They don't understand that there is sacrifice and that you will no longer have the luxury to do a, b, c on your list of life. It frusterates me when I hear parents complaining that they can't do this or that because of the kids. Well, it was your choice to have them. So suck it up. Another thing that gets me is that there are enough children in the world already that need parents but people insist on genetically perpetuating them without even considering adoption.Is it really that important to share a bloodline? If you are in a stable position to have more than one child then what is wrong with having one natural and others adopt? It is so badly needed but so underconsidered. It is a big societal problem I think that we don't adopt the children out there that need it before we consider birthing one of our own.