Is it more selfish to have children than not?

Question

Lets face it, this planet is ****ed. Its only a matter of time before the ecosystem completely collapses causing millions to die, and that's mainly due to over population. By having (many) children you are adding to the problem, hastening the planet's demise, and making your children/grandchildren face a horrible death.

So is it better to not have children than to give in to what are, lets face it, animalistic urges to self replicate?

I know children can give pleasure, but isn't it a selfish short term pleasure, at others, and ultimately their own expense?

Answer 1

Good Question.

I think a lot of people have children these days because they think it is what's expected of them. Society does tend to push you into believing that you should buy a house, get married and start a family.

I think a lot of people have kids without really looking at the alternative i.e. not having any! There is a lot to be said for being childless, able to pack a bag at the drop of a hat and move on somewhere with out having to worry about a little dependent life.

We seem to try to fight nature these days, instead of letting the weaker of the species die - we keep it alive with technology or aid etc. As harsh as it sounds, we are the only species who fight to keep alive those who would naturally die. - This will cause problems for us later down the line if we are trying to evolve.

I wouldn't like to bring a child into this world, I'd be frightened to let it play out on the street or at the park for fear of child molesters, bullying and gangs etc. The education system is a sham these days too, and the stories of bullying not just by the kids but by the teachers is also a worry. The health system is a joke, not only would you have to endure being treated like a 'number' in the mass delivery wards but you are likely to pick-up some disease while you are in there recovering!

I think that it is selfish for some people to have children, especially when they can't afford to look after them and sponge off the tax payers to do so.

Unfortunatly though, a lot of people have maternal/paternal instincts that naturally makes them want to reproduce before they have had time to consider any of the points that you or I have made.

Answer 2

I really do hope you are not going to get any abusive replies! I think nature is starting to take care of this problem now.. Wars, diseases, homosexuals, infertility... and the list goes on. I understand that these are not enough and the amount of kids a couple can have should be limited. Also, these days couples split up then each one re-marries and has children with their new partners, and they probably wouldn't have had any more kids if they had stayed together. It is a serious concern and something should be done about it. While I strongly believe that once a person is born every effort must be made to treat them when they are ill, we should certainly not contribute to the population at this rate. These days a lot more people can be kept alive and given very good quality of lives but why create more?

Answer 3

Interesting question.

Is the world really overpopulated? It appears that the birth rate overall is actually falling in wealthier countries and where birth rate remains high, the mortality rate tends to match. I take it that you have a comfortable lifestyle that permits of such philosophising. Perhaps life elsewhere may be more much more difficult ? Is a family then your form of insurance that the harvest can be collected, for example? I'm not saying this is right, just posing the question.

Don't forget that nature has its own way of "culling" via natural disaster, starvation, disease pandemics - the bubonic plague, the "sleepy sickness" epidemic after the Great War and varying strains of flu, including HN51 that has yet to migrate between species.

Yes, a lot of thought does need to be given to the responsibility that children bring, as they are not just a short term pleasure. And let's face it, if we didn't replicate every now and again, who would look after us when we get old?

Answer 4

Yes it is. There are too many people in the world as it is and too many unwanted kids. Children are not a token or a toy. People should stop breeding and concentrate on rectifying the problems mankind has already inflicted on the planet.

Answer 5

I've often thought this question, but on the other hand, you could have an amazing child who might grow up to be a scientist and cure Aids or something equally as helpful to the human race.

Answer 6

This planet does have problems, but if no one had children it would eventualy be the end of human kind anyway. I don't think it is selfish to have kids, although I do think there are many people who shouldn't have kids.

Answer 7

Children can give you pleasure. Do not deny yourself this great pleasure. But it sounds like you need to wait and decide what you realy want.

Answer 8

I would only allow people like you to have children.

At least you are thinking about it.

Answer 9

no, its not selfish.. i would never go back and not have my daughter. she is 16yr. and she is my life and im hers. she is a good kid. im sooo proud of her. and that i have taught her good things.