How old should you be to have children?

Question

How old is too old and how young is too young? Please include WHY.

Answer 1

I think 25+ is when most people are kind of set in their way of thinking. Everyone's different, everyone has different levels of maturity, this is just a generalized answer.

Answer 2

Biologically speaking -- For women, you should be fully developed physically (at least 18), and try not to be above the age of 30. Risks increase for various genetic diseases (like Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome) after the age of 30 and continue multiplying after. Plus, the older you are, the harder it will be to become pregnant the natural way. For men, having children would always be possible up to a very old age, but risks for producing a child with schizophrenia and various other disorders increase past the age of 50.

Practically speaking -- It's not really about age, but about being settled. Do you have a job to support your family? Are you done with school? Is my environment stable? Am I married or at the very least in a supportive and stable relationship? For the most part, this is accomplished after finishing college or university, and that is the age of 21 or 22. For some, it is also after finishing a graduate degree -- around 28?

There's also the issue of being too old. You have to consider..."How old will I be while my child is still in school and needs my support?" "Will I still be young enough to run after a very active toddler?" "Will I be young enough to still be able to relate to my children?"

Socially speaking -- In Western countries, anything below 20 is too young. Generally, 25 or above seems more reasonable an age for marriage, so having children is the same way. Plus, people and religion prefer (or require) that one be married to have a child.

All-in-all, the best age is after college (21, at the earliest) and before the age of 30.

Answer 3

I think anyone under the age of 21 is to young. They really are still growing them selves . I know what it is like to have a baby at a young age. I was 19 and it was hard. I had to work, be a mom go to school and try not to get kicked out of school because of grades. I had some help from my bf but it fell on me more because I was the girl. AND no matter how much any tells you it does. AND then when you turn 21 and want to celebrate being a legal adult. Good luck finding a sitter who is willing to keep a 2 yr old over night . I would say anyone who is over 21 and ready to settle down and have BIG responsibility

Answer 4

I think it honestly depends on the person for the too young age. I am having my first in a few months, and I am 20. Even though I am young, I have been living on my own with my husband, financially we are comfortable. I graduated high school early[skipped grades] So maybe I just grew up earlier from this because I have been on my own longer than most 20yr olds.

And as for too old, I think early 30's.
The older you get, the more risk there is for cancer and other diseases[besides a difficult birth]. The average age in the US for when people pass is around 70. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer that spread to her liver, and passed away a few yrs later. I was 18 but my sister was a few years younger. It has been especially hard on her. I think people who decide to have children at an older age really need to think about it. Yes you may think it will be better because you have more money, but children dont need money they need parents to be there for them. I mean how many children still look to their moms even in their late 20's?

Answer 5

There's not a too old age, unless you're around 60 or something. but too young would be any age in which the parent isn't ready to have children. If you're ready for the responsibility, then any age is a perfect age.

Answer 6

I think the age should be over 23, maybe 24. You'll have some experience of being a FULL adult (you can them drink and vote, ect) and you seem more stable. I think too old would be 60. Because I know my Mom had me at 42, and my Dad had his other kids at 20. But he could handle them then ^^

But I know my half sister has had kids since she was 16 (she has 8 kids) and they were all taken away by the state because she couldnt take care of them.

Answer 7

I definitely agree that you should have children why you're young, but not too young. I think if you're in high school, you're too young because you already have enough on your plate and i don' think it's right to put that kind of pressure on your mother or father so that puts you at your teenage years, 13 to 19. If you're above 40, I think that's too old because there are several complications that you put yourself and your baby at risk for. My mom had me when she was 38 and she said it was a smooth pregnancy.

Answer 8

You can have children from the time of puberty.

If the real question is when are you old enough to be a responsible and loving parent then there is no set answer.

Any fool can have children but it takes a special person to be a parent.

Answer 9

under 25= too young, live the good life for a bit!
over 40= just no. no kid at 13 wants a 53 or older parent. its just like having a grand parent.

Answer 10

I think 28-35 are good ages to have children. I think that idealistically people imagine themselves having children younger, but most people aren't in a stable relationship and living situation until they're in their late twenties. Even if they are, people need to have lived their own lives before giving birth to others. If you are responsible in a childs upbringing, your life isn't yours anymore when you have kids, it's your childs. Make sure you won't be missing it too much.

I'm 17, I don't want kids right now- I don't imagine myself having little monsters running around my house. Of course there's room and time for negotiation, but man. Kids. I hate them.

Answer 11

I'd say at least 18, but then I wouldn't be here today or at least not with my biological parent(s).
There should be no age limit....there are pro and cons to every aspect of when you should have children. But that doesn't change the success stories and failures no matter what age.