Why do we congratulate people simply for getting pregnant?

Question

think about it for a sec before you answer....
what is the LOGIC behind congratulating them?

especially now with the United Nations warning us to get human population down to below 5 Billion and we exceed 6 Billion...

does it go back to when the church began brainwashing people into thinking that more kids = more favor from good (the church really just wanted to increase its numbers)
does it go back to when the planet wasnt as populated and we wanted more people to help hunt and gather and war and kill other "tribes"?

why congratulate somebody for mearly having sex and concieving? which is something our bodies were mostly designed to do anyhow...

I expect alot of harsh answers.. I will assume those are people who are not putting any thought into it... and probably have loads of kids so are defending themself

I am not being rude its a question on social etiquette...

I have 1 kid (tubes tied after that)

I was congratulated.. but was like "why are you congratulating me" I felt it was a messsed up thing to congratulate people for doing..

I think the person who said it is Habit is right
but also because I think people assume you are rude if you dont...

Answer 1

I think it is a very good question. If someone tells me they are pregnant there are 2 questions I ask before I'll consider saying congratulations. Was it planned and are you happy about it?
If one or both are answered no, I do not say congratulations, but ask them if they need to talk about it.

There are some people try so hard to conceive. When they finally do I think congrats is in order, as long as they are financially and mentally prepared for a child.

I have a 19 yr. old niece that recently got pregnant. Her and her bf are living with her mom, not working for several months until he just recently got a job, not married, and she got upset when no one in the family congratulated her for getting pregnant.

I'm with you on the overpopulation even though I have 3 children.
I can say I didn't give it as much thought as I should have before we decided to have kids. But, I would not give them up for the world. I do not plan on having any more!

Answer 2

I think it's just habit from the past, because children used to be extremely important for inheritance and succession. Today times are different, especially in the modern societies. With the exception of a few people with fertility issues, making a baby is easy for most people. It's not really an achievment like getting a degree or a well paid job, which usually takes years of studying and hard work. It's raising them well that's hard. I think we should congratulate parents only after they've raised their kids to be good well adjusted hard working people and no sooner.

Answer 3

you're right in a way it is silly to "congratulate " them.Perhaps for a religious person, a thanks to God is more appropriate. Than a prayer for the couple to get thru the experience intact. Many do not think what having kids means as a responsibility and that the child may not give back all they wish to get from the it-its more give than take. They often resent it after wards and rebel about losing their freedom as a single/or married w/o kids person. That comes out in future divorce and broken families as they finally find out its not that easy nor it is all that rewarding all the time. Its all about me is more the order of the day. Maybe in other societies the burden was shared among family so you didn't give up as much of your identity and time to have /raise kids. Also your kids were more likely to give back in form of family business/farming and care in your old age.
Now is kind of a fad for older (35-50) couples/women to have a kid like its one thing they haven't done yet to keep up with their friends. They often find out it was a dumb idea(though the love is now there and they could never go back) as they get more and more tired and the kid is more demanding. They must have the best for the kid so money starts pouring out. Its all kind of ridiculous. I did have a "larger "family-love the kids of course, but its certainly not what one thinks it will be. Unconditional love can be quite draining and the recipient not always cooperative or grateful . Its an issue that needs more thought.

Answer 4

I'm sure it is more out of habit today than anything. I also think that we like to pretend that all babies are wanted and that the parents are very excited to be expecting. I however do think that it is still appropriate to congratulate a couple if this is something that they have wanted and planned and have had some difficulty in obtaining. You have to remember that not everyone is able to conceive right away. I don't know I could be way off base.

Answer 5

Have you ever really thought about the science behind getting pregnant? It's really quite amazing. I know that it doesn't seem that way because of all the babies you see each day, but it is. Now to answer your question, without judgement. Most people see having a baby as a great event, like getting married or finishing a degree, so that is one reason. And, perhaps it is a habit from the past, when infant mortality rates were low. There is nothing wrong w/your question, however, you could've use a little more tact in wording it.

Answer 6

I think that it's a very valid question. Mostly I think it comes from habit. That's just what people say. It's a social thing. I do agree that it probably goes back to the church and less population theory you mentioned.

I think if you KNOW someone has been trying to conceive and you find out they are pregnant that a congratulations may be in order just because you know that they have wanted a baby.

I am certainly going to think of what I say now, though. I mean it IS what our bodies are designed to do and you don't see people giving the big glad handed congrats when someone goes to the bathroom! :o)

Thanks for making me think today. It kinda hurt my head!

Answer 7

I believe it is because inspite of all the things going on and the difficulty it poses in their life they have made the decision to be parents.We congratulate them for the journey they are about to take and wish them the best of luck in that endeavor. It may seem ill advised to you but to the people making this decision and bringing a new life into this world it is the biggest challenge they will ever take on. They deserve our congratulations and support whenever possible -not necessarily monetarily but with focus on helping to create a world that is better for the next generation.

Answer 8

It's a cultural thing. Having a baby is an exciting time and most people consider babies blessings.Offering congratulations is a way of sharing in the joy of the new life. There are other ways of doing it as well like wishing that the baby be born in a good and auspicious time and then offering congratulations after the baby is born.

Answer 9

I do have 4 children. I think the reason we congratulate one and another is because some people have a very hard time getting pregnant. Some people try for a long time just for that 1 little one. Sometimes people want you to be SO happy for them that there is nothing else you can think of to say. Hope that helps.

Answer 10

Really, I think you typcally "congratulate" a pregnancy when you know the couple has been trying to concieve. Just like if a friend of yours was trying to get a job and if she got the job, you'd congratulate her.