2006-11-20 09:47:39 · 17 answers · asked by Alex 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Sorry for the word "Should" I'd just like suggestions and experience from people who have been there themselves or have friends and family as examples.
Thanks
2006-11-20 09:57:42 · update #1
Everyone is different. By the time I was ready for graduate school I had two children. If I had gone to graduate school when I was younger (BK - before kids) I would not have had the same appreciation for it, not would I have been mature enough to truly reap all the benefits of graduate school. Many of the students who were in graduate school with me were also parents - probably close to half of them. A couple of them were grandparents. The students who were parents were much more serious about the work, and believe it or not got better grades.
There is no "one size fits all" answer. People have to do what makes sense for them. My personal opinion is that everyone should work for a few years in their chosen field before graduate school, and that often means that graduate school will then be AK (after kids).
2006-11-20 09:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ideally, yes...that would probably be the wise thing to do. I have childless friends in grad school and know how tough it is for them, I can only imagine how it would be if they had kids. However, things happen...things don't always work out as they 'should.' And should it happen, I guess you'll have to learn to deal with it (and it is possible to be successful...one of my docs became a pharmacist first then 2 kids, a divorce and remarriage later finished med school - also having to deal with meningitis at one point).
2006-11-20 17:56:46 · answer #2 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a personal question that is different for different people. Some people are family oriented and want to start families soon, but others wait until they have a solid education and a good career. It is up to the individual to decide which is more important.
2006-11-20 17:50:40 · answer #3 · answered by Adriana 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People should do whatever is best for themselves (and their spouse).
It's usually *easier* to finish school and graduate before having kids, because once you have kids they become the focus of your world, and are a full-time job. But that doesn't mean you CAN'T have kids first. People are all different, do what works best for you, don't try to pigeonhole everybody into the same set of "rules." :)
2006-11-20 17:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You've gotten some good advice, but I thought I'd add one thing definite. When I was in Grad. school one of my fellow students had a difficult pregnancy that was hard on her, her children to be (yes, twins), her husband, and her major professor's research. For her, it was a real drag. Otherwise, universities usually have some of the best child care facilities around. There is much to be said for having your children young - you need to be able to keep up with them when they are teenagers and really need guidance.
2006-11-20 19:05:28 · answer #5 · answered by gordon B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who recently had a baby and she and I have both started writing our graduate thesis proposals this semester. We have been in school a little while now anyway because of prerequisite courses, and work, and life, etc.
I think for myself it has left me with one less thing to worry about while going to school. Just go and get it over with and then live your life.
2006-11-20 18:45:04 · answer #6 · answered by designerista 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the person and their goals in life, outside of education. I chose being a young parent over school, but I am in school at the moment, doing excellent, and not regreting a single moment. It all depends on the person and what they want out of life, not just a piece of paper to hange on a wall.
2006-11-20 18:10:20 · answer #7 · answered by Kelli R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes because some graduate school programs are time consuming and so is raising children and if you don't have a supportive spouse or partner you can't get through it dealing with the responsibility of children. It's better to do it when you don't have children and if you do have a supportive spouse or partner who is there and can take them off your hands when you need to study.
2006-11-20 17:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by nabdullah2001 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If they want to go and plan on going to graduate school and they don't want to postpone their education for kids, then yes they should. Otherwise no, there is no point. A friend of my husbands and I postpone college so she and her hubby could have kids and now she is back and couldn't be happier, just up to your preference and if you are ready for them or not.
2006-11-20 17:58:00 · answer #9 · answered by Jessica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To even ask such a question, indicates to me that you, YOU, are not ready for "children" - and of course, if your parents are still on the scene, I am quite sure they are telling you the same. Always complete one thing at a time at your age. Education first, without it, you have NO FUTURE. and Please remember, Children are Forever, and ever, and ever.... so get educated first!You have plenty of time to have children. And for once, I would like to see a Question here that mentions, Marriage... God - hasn't your generation been taught anything! - Look around you,open your eyes, do you really think we need More unplanned children in our Countries, when we can't feed,cloth and House the ones we have?
2006-11-20 17:57:08 · answer #10 · answered by peaches 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋