If you had to specifically opt-in to having children, would you do it?

Faith

I’m imagining a situation where the current reproduction biological norms get flipped on their heads. Rather than being fertile as the default, humans now have to have medical intervention in order to become fertile – either daily tablets, long-acting implants or surgical interventions. These aren’t without side effects, much like the side effects seen with IVF, and both men and women would have to have treatment.

In this hypothetical world, stripped of cultural/social expectations to have children, do you think you would still choose to have kids?

Feisar

Most people opt in as it is. Come of contraceptives and fúck strategically for a month or two.

An interesting question OP. I don't have children and I'm not at all sure if I would opt in. I'd have to really think about what I would do.

Dial Hard

Categorically no.

I've opted out as it is.

lucalux

Agreed, really interesting question OP

I wouldn't as I know I'm not ever having children, but I wonder if it would make people consider the choice a lot more.

Both parties having to endure medical treatment and the side effects that come along with those (hypothetically speaking) would turn some people off I imagine.

If the societal norm was erased, then there would be fewer opting in, I think.
Some people don't see it as something you choose - it just happens in a relationship, and so many pregnancies are never planned in marriages and LTR's

TuringBot47

Faith wrote: »

In this hypothetical world, stripped of cultural/social expectations to have children, do you think you would still choose to have kids?

Odd question since I'd say the majority of children are planned, well at least 50-75% as a wild guess with no links to back it up.



In someways I wish it was more of an explicit choice for the population and we're still nowhere near ready for people to accept global population controls.
You can partially blame the catholic church for the aversion to contraceptives.


But yes, for sure most heterosexual couples want kids and I imagine some desperately do need/want artificial help via IVF treatment etc.

You can opt out by getting tied/snipped/etc. Everyone should be done after 30 regardless.

lucalux

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You can opt out by getting tied/snipped/etc. Everyone should be done after 30 regardless.

Good luck trying to get tubes tied if you're a woman without children in this country haha

Dial Hard

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You can opt out by getting tied/snipped/etc.

Try doing that as a child-free person under the age of about 45 in Ireland. Virtually impossible.

Dial Hard

lucalux wrote: »

Good luck trying to get tubes tied if you're a woman without children in this country haha

It's as bad for men, even those with children sometimes. My brother went for a vasectomy consultation after his third child and was told "What if your partner dies and you remarry and want more children?"

Dial Hard

Dial Hard wrote: »

Try doing that as a child-free person under the age of about 45 in Ireland. Virtually impossible.

That situation needs to change then.

Montage of Feck

With the amount of chemicals and hormones getting into the food chain you might not have to wait too long op.

Snickers Man

Fine. Opt out. Nobody should force anybody into being a parent against their will. But there should be one condition: if you choose not to propagate your own gene pool, then YOU DO NOT GET TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CHANGING ETHNIC MAKEUP OF YOUR COUNTRY OVER TIME, ESPECIALLY AS YOU ADVANCE INTO MIDDLE AGE!!!

It is astonishing to me how so many of those crabby old farts who say we have to restrict immigration because "we weren't asked if we wanted all these foreigners" and "our culture is being swamped" by "people with different values" have chosen to do nothing to offset such changes by actually reproducing themselves.

Many of them are flamboyant homosexuals (Douglas Murray) or barren old widows (Gemma O'Doherty) or just plain unf?ckables like...well just have a look at some of the people at your average anti-mask protest, many of whom are aligned to far-right, Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant parties and you'll see what I mean.

Besides we need kids to keep the economy going and to pay our pensions in our twilight years. They aren't just for other people, you know.

Princess Calla

Dial Hard wrote: »

Try doing that as a child-free person under the age of about 45 in Ireland. Virtually impossible.

Know a woman in her 40's who asked on her last pregnancy (she had more than 5 kids at this stage) and was refused cos "she could still have a few more"

Capt'n Midnight

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You can opt out by getting tied/snipped/etc. Everyone should be done after 30 regardless.

It should be done sooner.

30 kids is far too many.

Princess Calla

If you had to pay, even a nominal fee it would certainly remove a certain element of society who use children for the "free house", children's allowance and all the other benefits.

It would also, in theory anyway, mean a child be born into a family that wanted them.

Dial Hard

Princess Calla wrote: »

If you had to pay, even a nominal fee it would certainly remove a certain element of society who use children for the "free house", children's allowance and all the other benefits.

As they say, you need a licence for a dog...

Princess Calla

Princess Calla wrote: »

If you had to pay, even a nominal fee it would certainly remove a certain element of society who use children for the "free house", children's allowance and all the other benefits.

It would also, in theory anyway, mean a child be born into a family that wanted them.

I do think that would be very much theoretical. People who pay may not necessarily be able to provide a loving and secure home. It says nothing of the intention, willingness and ability to provide good enough parenting.

Sounds like the plot of a dystopian YA novel...

TuringBot47

I think you should have to earn a minimum income to have kids.
Like PAYE/PRSI credits.


If you can't pay for your own kids, why should the rest of us have to.

AMKC

Nop. No interest in having kids ever. Just wreck your head and scream no sleep no way frak that.

lucalux

Princess Calla wrote: »

Know a woman in her 40's who asked on her last pregnancy (she had more than 5 kids at this stage) and was refused cos "she could still have a few more"

Wow, that should be unbelievable and yet, it's not shocking at all.. a 'few' more, no less

Seriously though it's ridiculous from the medical profession