If your goals in life dont include having children psychologically what is the point in living?

Question

Sorry, maybe the question was poorly worded.

I mean: Modern physchology has basically stated that everything we do is driven by the need for our race to survive. If someone chooses not to perpetuate that, than what is their point?

I didnt mean make anyone upset, but it is a fairly common belief amongst scientists.

Answer 1

Wow. According to that theory, I don't have any reason to live. There'd be no point in it. I don't have children, and nor do I plan to have children.

The point of living is NOT to have children....I don't know if you truly believe this, or are just throwing around an idea to see what people think of it. You might have strong religious beliefs, and if this is the case, I don't want to challenge those beliefs or offend you.


To me, living a healthy, productive life is NOT just about children. It's a facet of it, but if a person is unable to have children for physiological reasons, or simply doesn't want to have kids, that doesn't mean their life is pointless.

Plain and simple--life is what you make it. If you make having children the central, focal point of your life, then you will have a pointless life if you don't have children.

If you choose to do something with your life and live it to the fullest--study, learn, explore, travel, meet new people, open your mind and heart to culture and diversity, new ideas and such, you will NOT lead a pointless life.

The point of living is to FULFILL your mind and spirit, and to be the best person that you are able to be--to realize your potential (your entire potential) as a human..... Be kind to others, have empathy....show humility...etc.

Some people (and some religions) feel that the purpose of life is to procreate----and if people don't want to have children, they are being selfish, because the human population would suffer if everyone thought that way.

Yes, I have had people tell ME that.

First of all--not everyone will EVER feel that way...
Secondly, the world is overpopulated as it stands.

Third-
children should be born to people who 100% want children...and aren't just having children because it's the "right" thing to do.....That's not fair.

The point of life is to live it to the fullest--and however you choose to do it-with or without kids--is your choice.

Answer 2

"Modern Psychology" may THINK it knows everything, but it doesn't - there is NO field of human endeavor that does, and right there is ONE good reason. (Anyway, how do "they" think that making more contributions to an overcrowded world already struggling with shortages and population issues is helping with the survival of the human race? At what point does "population pollution" become a threat rather than a boon to survival? )
Most spiritually-based philosophies promote the idea that the real purpose of life is to provide a learning experience for each of us, as individuals. There is absolutely NO reason why this should contain any mandatory manifest to physically reproduce, unless that reproduction held within it a lesson that would be of value to you.
Have you NO goals, NO interests that go beyond just the leaving of at least one more physical body in this world to replace yours when it finally dies? Of course you do - at least I HOPE you do - and THOSE are your reasons!

If reproduction were the be-all and end-all of human life, then why should we have personalities, opinions, feelings, intelligence, things we hate and things we love, enjoyment, pain, music, literature, culture, technology, art or, indeed, ANY kind of awareness? PLANTS and SINGLE-CELLED organisms can reproduce! There are INSECTS that are much better at mass survival than we are, but do we acknowledge them as superior? If so, why did you incarnate as a human being and not one of those beetles that can survive an atomic explosion (Certainly THEY can reproduce!)? (No, that is NOT intended as an insult, although it may sound like one - it is a LEGITIMATE QUESTION!)
Because there is a wealth of human experience out there to be lived by each and all of us! That wealth of experience may or may not contain the specific event of reproduction. Do we say life is not valid and worthwhile if we do not have a goal to visit the grand Canyon? If we do not specifically aim to buy an antique car and restore it? If we do not have a firm intention to learn golf and join the PGA circuit?
Life is full of worthwhile experiences which may or may not include - BUT ARE CERTAINLY NOT LIMITED TO - human reproduction!

Answer 3

anyone can make a contribution to society in any number of ways that don't have to include "having children". Just helping friends & family can be enough. some people can't have children due to medicl problems, & they don't just stop living. to have the drive to procreate is very strong in some people, while in others not as strong or even not at all. It should be up to the individule person, or as a decesion reached by mutual agreement between a married couple.
look at Mother Tresa, or Jesus.
or on the other end of the spectrum Hitler.
they all made a contribution to the way we live today... some good & some bad, but all remembered by history as people who changed the world.

Answer 4

Is keeping our genes perpetuating in an endless cycle a good point of living? I've never thought so, and I find that people who derive their entire life purpose from having children often do so because their own lives didn't turn out the way they wanted. Looking for a point to living is a fruitless search. To me, all sign point towards life having no point at all. We're basically just here for no good reason. Basically, I just seek pleasure and entertainment, and I'm cool with that.

Answer 5

You're talking biology, not psychology.

Psychologists recognize many "points", including joy, connection to others, significance and meaningfulness, self-fulfillment -- stuff like that.

Although I have no kids, nor want them, I take great interest in the future -- for the sake of all those to come.

Biologically, we and all critters are self-replicating (things that weren't did reproduce as successfully).

But now that we have the brains and minds we have, we are no longer just that, but can create and choose our own purposes.

Besides, I'm here, and there are people who are glad of that; as am I.

I'm not going to off myself just because I'm not going to reproduce.

The nature of life will do that all too soon.

Yes, the original wording was not well-put, and I was going to sputter and "Wha?" at you no end.

Answer 6

the international is a merciless place, and all of us be attentive to that babies day many times happening from abuse, however the actual question is, who're we to be certain if somebody lives or dies? Aborting is making a decision that we've been in no way given the spectacular to make. to boot many of the time the abortion is desperate based different motives.i've got in no way heard or examine a woman asserting "I have been given an abortion using fact i might beat my newborn if i had given beginning" attempt to do some statistical study in the past you leap to conclusions and initiate accusing human beings.

Answer 7

Not everyone has or wants children. BUT: there are a lot of people who go through life helping others, learning and growing. That is the point in living.

Answer 8

The pursuit of happiness would be one. If you think that children will not make you happy then why do it. I think you meant physiologically, since that has more to do with procreation and instincts to spread one's seed. You should check out a website, it is kind of satire but in all honesty, it has some good point on why not to have children. www.vhemt.org It might be .com but i am pretty sure it is .org

Answer 9

You may have to elaborate on this one. Why is having children the or one of the points in living? There are plenty of other reasons, very much dependent on personal preference. Good question though.

Answer 10

By not having children, the point in living is for you to have more time asking and answering stupid questions on this site so you can earn the coveted orange badge.

Good luck.