Older parents. Good or bad?

Question

Couples tend to have children at a later stage according to statistics. Many women have children after their 40's now. Is it good or bad for the next generation?

Answer 1

I had my son, James at age 23. Being a young parent is hard, and so is being an older parent. I would say probably the ideal age to have a baby would be around 30-35.

♥ The Campbell Family: Olivia, Blaine, James, Emma and Madison

Answer 2

I'd say it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. My grandparents died when I was young - I miss them terribly, but that's no reason for older parents not to have children.

I'm the oldest child in my family, and my parents were in their early 20's when I appeared. And they sucked as parents. They weren't cruel or anything, but I was passed from Nanny to boarding school - they had virtually no parental influence on my life. We have what could be best considered a friendship now, but I'll never really consider them as parental.

My experience may be very different to most, but my point is I'd much rather have had parents who were there, who I built a relationship with, who I could talk to and relate to. I don't think that's a youthful trait. I suspect that if you have older parents who want a child so much they'll end up with a closer relationship, more family knowledge and a closeness that I wish I had with my parents.

Answer 3

all parents are good- they mean the best for you. some have kids later because they can provide for them the way they'd like to. It's only fair people have children when they know they can do so comfortably. So it's not a good or bad answer. If they couple were younger and were ready enough there's no harm so long as they have it all sorted in their heads and lives. I personally wouldn't have cared a bit if my parents had me later if i would still be me is another thing but i think it'll be good for me in any case

Answer 4

I think it's a good thing, personally, because older parents are more likely to be financially secure and have had a lot of time to think about and prepare for raising children. As long as they take good care of their health, there should be no issues with their being too old to raise their teenagers.

The only bad thing about the trend is that a lot of women put off having children thinking that technology makes it easy for them to have kids when they're older, when in fact, reproductive technology can't do much for most women with age-related fertility problems.

Answer 5

Older parents can be more mature and patient, they will focus everything on the child and not want to have their freedom because they've already had it. They have probably found their perfect partner and know who they are. They are probably financially secure and have more time. Younger parents have more energy, they will be around for them for a long time, they can see their grandkids and great grandkids. There are less health risks carrying a child, there is more of a risk of down syndrome in an older parent. I would say it's better to be young, purely for the health issue.

Answer 6

I think it's bad

My daughter is 8 and all of her friends parents are way old! I had her at 21 and had to finish college after she was born but it was worth it. I hate when people say "I'm waiting until I can afford to have kids" OK really...no one can "afford" to have kids, we just do and try to provide them with what they need.

I would not have the career I have now had I waited to have kids. I'm luck I did it the way I did because now I have the opportunity to work for a great company from my home office and my husband only has to work 3 days a week (yes I'm serious, Fire-fighter/Paramedic).

If we all waited to have kids when we are older what are we really teaching them? We value the dollar more that we value the things we can't buy (family, relationships, kids).

It just gets me fired up when I'm at the park with my kids and I see parents sitting in the car or on the bench, unable to really play with the kids because they are out of shape or just too old to run around with them.

OK I'm done now......

Answer 7

OMG...

You ask as if having kids is a planned expedition, where its easy to fall in love, find the right partner and bingo. Life isnt that simple is it.

In my opinion, if you have a valid reason to not have kids before, such as not meeting the right person, or ill-health then its cool, if its because you are focusing on career when you could have had kids well then its a choice many may regret, however the issue is of whether the child is loved isnt it?

Hope that helps x

Answer 8

i have mixed feelings about this
young parents can do more fun things with their children
i had my first at 18....too young
my second at 24..i was ready then
with the older parents there is probably more stability
and the parents are well educated and have a better home life for children
it is really a hard question to answer!!
i can not determine if it is bad or good!!

Answer 9

I believe that it is a good thing. My mom didn't have me until she was around 29. She was finished with school. Her and my dad travel before deciding to have children. I think once you have educated yourself and have what it is to provide for that child is only when you decided to have a child rather it be young or old.

Answer 10

Depends on the person. Some people like to have their kids while they are young so they get their "me," time around their 40's. I'll be 21 in 3 days. When I am 40, my kids will be 21 and 22. I'll be able to go and do what I would like instead of worrying about carpooling, PTA and cheerleading...lol. Some people like to wait until they are older but that's not me.

edit; My mom had me when she was 18. My grandma was in her 30's when she had my mom. When I went to visit my grandparents, there was no going skating with them, going swimming with them, playing sports with them etc. All we ever seemed to do was sit around on the porch. My mom is 39. She gets down on the floor to play with my kids. She has taken my girls swimming, skating, and all that fun stuff. This is what I prefer.