Why people have children

osarusan

JackTaylorFan wrote: »

How else do you explain children being raised in an environment where they are made to believe and follow certain things just 'cause their parents say so - i.e. religious beliefs, moral values, interest in sports teams, etc.?

I wish my kids wouldn't be interested in my sports team anyway. Not yet at least.

They like the idea of being fans so they want to go, but then have no interest in actually watching the game. Much more enjoyable for me when they are not there.

osarusan

Also, to answer OP, so I have somebody to play Nerf wars with.

1 point for a body shot, 3 for a head shot, first to 10 points wins. Armchair turned on its back makes a great base.

We played 3 games last night - I told him to 'prepare for death' and he loaded his bullets right in front of me and said 'I'm preparing for your death'. He won the last game by climbing up on his armchair to get more elevation and getting me with a head shot when I thought I was safe.

astrofool

abdulabduler wrote: »

If I can't go into nature such as forest or fields without seeing human activity everywhere then it's overpopulated. I would love to go to a place untouched by humans which gets harder and harder to find. And countries like England continue to breed faster than rabbits which will result in even more humans destroying the environment, nature, trees and animals to support the out of control population, just because there can be 15 billion people in this world doesn't mean there should. We are not alone on this planet and we need to leave some places untouched. Everywhere you go you see humans. Ireland is one of the least densely populated countries which makes it an exception however England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and most other European Union countries have very high density. Europeans make fun of China with their population but China is less densely populated than many European countries such as Belgium and Netherlands. I don't believe that humans should breed at such an extreme rate and consume the world by increasing demands, Earth is not unlimited.

Why? Earth is one of countless planets in the universe, each of which will be as unique as the next one. Whether we're here or not, the planet will keep spinning, and eventually be burned to a crisp, we're as much part of nature as the rest of the planet, and driven in the same way as any other life on this planet. Nature will figure out a way to survive no matter what we do (however, I'm not saying that we shouldn't try and maintain our environment for as long as possible and keep it in as good condition as possible, but if we destroy it for ourselves, other life will come along and take over instead).

PARlance

scamalert wrote: »

awaiting thread where some one has 4-5 kids, pi$$ broke on welfare,and everyone giving their opinion how parents should be neutered.

its not only in Ireland but can be seen across many more developed countries,Japan is good example.

people focus more on career future to secure it,not like old days where families would pop 5-7 kids to have someone to plow fields for them.

While they mightn't be needed to plough fields they are needed for a healthy economy. How Germany is being put forward as some sort of target is a laughable. Germany is absolutely f'ed due to decades of low childbirth rates.

They had to flood the place with migrants to keep the economy ticking over and will have to continue to do so.

JackTaylorFan

eviltwin wrote: »

I think it's just a case of doing what makes life easier. I don't bring my kids to church because I don't go, I'm not raising them non religious. Same as how I don't cook meat because I don't eat it, I'm not raising them vegetarian. When they reach the age of being able to think and do for themselves I don't care if they go to mass every day or live on meat once I'm not having to do it. You won't find many parents who don't see their children as individuals.

kunst nugget wrote: »

Generally, parents are going to instill the same values and beliefs in their children that they themselves have. It's generally not in a bid to make them a 'mini me' but it's because that's what they believe is the best way to live life. I'd have pretty opposite political views to my parents but I'd still share the basic morality that they raised me with - treating people with respect, not holding grudges, being thankful for the positive things in my life and not letting the negatives drag me down - which I'm thoroughly glad they taught me. It wasn't like they were going to raise me in a lifestyle completely incompatible with theirs for the craic.

I never said every parent raises their kids with an attitude of "it's my way or..." but it certainly happens - people do raise their kids in rigid environments and force their ideas of morality onto their kids, be it veganism, or christianity or dressing them in a certain coloured jersey or whatever - it happens, and it's because some see their offspring as reflections of themselves in society and for anyone to argue that this is not the case, is quite frankly, talking out of their bottom.

PARlance wrote: »

I'm raising my without passing on any of my beliefs or knowledge... the poor feckers can't talk, dress themselves, use the toilet or interact with others but hey... at least they're not going to Mass in a United jersey.

It's ironic that you say that having kids is a vanity project for some. There are a lot of people that are just too damn cool to have kids.

Bless you.

osarusan wrote: »

I wish my kids wouldn't be interested in my sports team anyway. Not yet at least.

They like the idea of being fans so they want to go, but then have no interest in actually watching the game. Much more enjoyable for me when they are not there.

I'm not exactly sure what your point is - are your team **** or something?

Potential-Monke

When i was younger, i thought that one day i might want them. I'm 33 now and as the time is passing, i'm more and more sure that i don't want them. And it's an honest reason. I wouldn't have the patience. It annoys me when the siblings kids are visiting and are asking me this and that, they seem to love me. I reckon they can't get the smell of kids off me, so that's why they gather around. So i can put up with them for about 15 minutes, situation depending, and it's great to be able to walk away and not have to worry about them.

seachto7

Chainsaws

Chiamonkey

The same reason people have pets

Dravokivich

abdulabduler wrote: »

Ireland has(still?) the highest birth rates in European Union. I was thinking why would anyone want to have children. Seems to me like a self inflicted torture. Screaming, shouting pooping, huge responsibility for absolute minimum of 18 years. I was thinking maybe Ireland has highest birth rate because abortion is illegal? So people who don't want children are still forced to have unwanted children which results in abuse and children growing up and resorting to crime (proven by studies). For example Germany has lowest birth rate in Europe, can someone explain to me correlation between the birth rates of Ireland and Germany?


Old article from Irish times
I doubt much has changed


IRELAND HAS the highest birth rate in Europe, according to the latest statistics from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

The birth rate of 17 per 1,000 of population, up from 14.4 per 1,000 in 2000, was the highest of any of the 27 countries of the European Union in 2009, according to the Perinatal Statistics Report 2009 published yesterday.

Ok, but what's wrong with it? Contraceptives and Condoms are available now. And I'd expect have reduced the birthrate over the last 40 years. Mortality rates have improved also. Why are you focused on ceasing a pregnancy, over reducing the potential of one in the first place when discussing Birth Rates?

Shenshen

PARlance wrote: »

While they mightn't be needed to plough fields they are needed for a healthy economy. How Germany is being put forward as some sort of target is a laughable. Germany is absolutely f'ed due to decades of low childbirth rates.

They had to flood the place with migrants to keep the economy ticking over and will have to continue to do so.

As opposed to Ireland who had to send droves of them overseas because there was no work for them once they left school?

zom

Shenshen wrote: »

As opposed to Ireland who had to send droves of them overseas because there was no work for them once they left school?

Most of migrating Irish are qualify specialised professionals who can't find jobs here simply because we are small country. We don't have much industry for example. Imagine you are nuclear plant specialist - not much opportunities here - but a lot in UK or France.
Overall net migration is on plus anyway, there stream of young people from Europe and all World willing to work and live here. So stop moaning./

PARlance

Shenshen wrote: »

As opposed to Ireland who had to send droves of them overseas because there was no work for them once they left school?

Ah yes, they fled due to overpopulation.

And there was me thinking it was due to the financial crisis coupled with our very own Irish crisis.

meeeeh

I don't know why we had kids. I usually jump before I look and kids were kind of the same. But I would not have it any other way. There is nothing better than to try to keep straight face after the older tells you you hurt his feelings because you pointed out the shirt is a complete mess and the jumper is on inside out. There is nothing funnier than watch the younger one plot her way out of trouble. You can literally see the cogs turning. Big brother trying to steal sister's chips or younger one telling me she only kicked him gently. Crashing into the bedroom at five in the morning and nesting herself as close to you as possible, the embarrassed grown when you plant kiss on his cheek. The comfort you get from a hug after bad day.

I am sure people have kids for various reasons but that's why I am damn glad I do.

Shenshen

zom wrote: »

Most of migrating Irish are qualify specialised professionals who can't find jobs here simply because we are small country. We don't have much industry for example. Imagine you are nuclear plant specialist - not much opportunities here - but a lot in UK or France.
Overall net migration is on plus anyway, there stream of young people from Europe and all World willing to work and live here. So stop moaning./

So which is it now? Germany's bad because they have to import labour, Ireland is good because the labour force can't find employment as the country is too small, and Ireland is also good of course because it also imports labour?

osarusan

JackTaylorFan wrote: »

I'm not exactly sure what your point is - are your team **** or something?

Top of the league bud.

whisky_galore

It's the must-have accessory after they tire of the shared dog/cat.

Shenshen

PARlance wrote: »

Ah yes, they fled due to overpopulation.

And there was me thinking it was due to the financial crisis coupled with our very own Irish crisis.

I never claimed either of those. I simply think it's a bit silly to call Germany in serious trouble when in fact the population density there is nearly 4 times that of Ireland. Especially since Ireland has quite a long history of not being able to provide for everyone born here, and actually having established almost a tradition of immigration.

LirW

The world does have an overpopulation problem - in certain parts of the world. Countries like Pakistan or Nigeria, huge parts of Africa in general as well as certain parts of Asia have a very young population, a certain percentage under 15 years. The population in these countries is expected to keep growing. While the population in the "first world" declines.
This is what I do not understand when someone raises the point of "we shouldn't have kids because overpopulation".
The mentality is entirely different in the west compared to less developed parts of the world: While a lot of people wanting children (and it's a fact that the current generation under 30 rules it out more and more) take everything to build a nest, have the financial stability and want to be in the right place, People in very poor regions start having children early for a variety of reasons, religious, child mortality, poor access to education and birth control.

So let me ask in a very provocative way: Why should working couple Miller in Germany/Ireland/France not have the one or two kids they really want, while in the meantime in the african countryside babies are fired out at a number that beats the european number of births per year in a single day?

PARlance

zom wrote: »

Most of migrating Irish are qualify specialised professionals who can't find jobs here simply because we are small country. We don't have much industry for example. Imagine you are nuclear plant specialist - not much opportunities here - but a lot in UK or France.
Overall net migration is on plus anyway, there stream of young people from Europe and all World willing to work and live here. So stop moaning./

CSO figures show that more Chippies than Nuclear Scientists left 2007 -2012.

meeeeh

Shenshen wrote: »

I never claimed either of those. I simply think it's a bit silly to call Germany in serious trouble when in fact the population density there is nearly 4 times that of Ireland. Especially since Ireland has quite a long history of not being able to provide for everyone born here, and actually having established almost a tradition of immigration.

I think we all know that certain European countries will have trouble paying for aging population. Germany themselves as far as I know are aware of the problem. I think there was even an initiative years ago to pay mother's at the birth of every child to increase the birth rate (it was possibly still in German marks). Population density is completely irrelevant if majority of population is not in employment. It might make European social models unsustainable. There will be always cycles in economy but that is a lot easier to repair than lack of workforce.

lawred2

Is the OP really being serious?

sbsquarepants

PARlance wrote: »

CSO figures show that more Chippies than Nuclear Scientists left 2007 -2012.

Chippies
Brickies
Nuclear Scientists
Plumbers
Astronauts
Hairdressers
Scrap metal relocation specialists
Doctors
Craic seekers
Sparks

That's the official top ten:D

PARlance

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Chippies
Brickies
Nuclear Scientists
Plumbers
Astronauts
Hairdressers
Scrap metal relocation specialists
Doctors
Craic seekers
Sparks

That's the official top ten:D

I'm surprised "Full time mad b*stards" didn't make the top 10.

AlanG

OP, kids are great fun to be around. They give you a different view on life that no amount of material goods or backpacking trips can ever do. They allow you to experience what it truly means to love someone unconditionally and they give far better hugs and smiles than a bank account can.
It may be great to have all the opportunities of time and money that having no kids gives but, for most people who are lucky enough to have kids and embrace parenthood, the rewards for being a loving parent far outweigh the benefits of being kid free.

PARlance

Shenshen wrote: »

I never claimed either of those. I simply think it's a bit silly to call Germany in serious trouble when in fact the population density there is nearly 4 times that of Ireland. Especially since Ireland has quite a long history of not being able to provide for everyone born here, and actually having established almost a tradition of immigration.

Germany is in serious trouble. Nothing to do with population density. Everything to do with decades of low birth rates. They just don't (and won't) have the workforce required to sustain their economy. You don't think Angela opened up the floodgates out of the goodness of her heart do you...

"Germany's workforce will shrink by 6m over the next 15 years, declining even faster than Japan's
Germany’s birth rate has collapsed to the lowest level in the world and its workforce will start plunging at a faster rate than Japan's by the early 2020s, seriously threatening the long-term viability of Europe’s leading economy."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11644660/Germany-dominance-over-as-demographic-crunch-worsens.html

I have 5 children. Always wanted children since I was in my teens. Can't explain why, it was just a desire that had to be fulfilled.

munchkin_utd

lawred2 wrote: »

Is the OP really being serious?

why not.
what are the benefits of having kids ?

The Hill Billy

I had my first kid because I needed an excuse to buy an Xbox. I had my second when I needed an excuse to get the Xbox 360.

stimpson

Aside from the throbbing biological urges, you never know when you might need a kidney.

And the first little organ farm was so cute we decided to have another.

RoboRat

Having kids is fantastic. Yes you have to deal with the screaming, lack of sleep, ****ty nappies and basically your social life disappears but it's more than worth it to have a kid that idolises you.... when you come home from a ****ty day at work and a little face is beaming and nearly knocking you over to hug and kiss you, everything is good again. Going out is replaced with going for walks and playing and being honest, when you do go out, it's so much more enjoyable and special.

It's hard to explain what having a child does to you unless you have one, especially for a man as until we are handed the child, there is no real connection. Once you get handed your child though, your world changes. Things like going out seem irrelevant and you get instant responsibility that is unbelievably rewarding. Nothing makes you prouder than seeing your kids doing well and being happy and life for me just seem so much more complete.

To put it in context, there is nothing that will make you feel as good like seeing your child smile and laugh.