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> not everyone is fortunate enough to have enough savings to be able to miss three months worth of paychecks. Then, sorry to be a bearer of bad news, if they c

by zanny 11y ago

> not everyone is fortunate enough to have enough savings to be able to miss three months worth of paychecks. Then, sorry to be a bearer of bad news, if they could not afford or save up in advance for three months, how in the world are they going to pay for a child for 18 years? Children in modern western nations are incredibly expensive. Often more expensive than a house. They are not a decision to be made lightly, and you shouldn't get pity for having them since its common knowledge how expensive they are. Its probably one of the greatest critical failings of our society in modern terms to pressure people so highly to have kids they cannot afford - its not just bad on a macroeconomic level because it makes those parents dependent on the state, and on average results in poverty stricken kids who have had studies prove growing up poor has a direct and negative impact on intellect, but its bad for individuals because it will destroy otherwise healthy relationships if children are too expensive but they gave into short term peer pressure and got long term consequences.

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
windowsworkstoo 11y ago
> Children in modern western nations are incredibly expensive. You hear this all the time, it just doesn't gel with my experience. I'd love to know how the various headlines that say "OMG 250K to raise a child till 18" come to that figure. Because, really, they don't seem to cost much at all. They eat less (and hopefully for free for at least the first 6 months), their clothes are smaller and cost less (though yes, they do need them more frequently). Depending on where you live (Aus ftw), public schooling can be good and free. Sure, when they get old they might piss and moan and "Want" various luxuries but that's the key isn't it - needs vs want. And by the age they start "wanting", typically the answer is "get a job".
- kimcheekumquat 11y ago
  http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/140815102328-cost-of-child-1024x576.png http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/140815102328-cost-...
SamReidHughes 11y ago
> how in the world are they going to pay for a child for 18 years? How could you possibly infer that to be a problem via a plain reading or even an uncharitable reading? Having money in the bank account doesn't help your kids as much as having a house in the right neighborhood.
engi_nerd 11y ago
How are they going to pay for a child for 18 years? For many, the answer is "they don't". For the record I also agree with your last paragraph in full. As for myself... With my current resources, I could pay all household expenses for three months without being paid. And yes, I have the resources necessary to support my family. In short, I can afford to have this child. However, I choose not to take unpaid leave because, with a child, I have no way of knowing what unforseen expenses may arise (will he have a chronic condition that requires treatment that my insurance will only partially cover? Will my wife have a harder time than expected healing from her surgery and require me to take more time off from work?) I am trying, in my particular case, to protect that cushion of money and grow it as much as I possibly can. I also know, far more than most people, just how serious of a decision having children is. Because of medical issues for both me and my wife, we had to have IVF to even conceive, and our first IVF baby died at 21 weeks gestation.

by zanny 11y ago

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

windowsworkstoo 11y ago

> Children in modern western nations are incredibly expensive. You hear this all the time, it just doesn't gel with my experience. I'd love to know how the various headlines that say "OMG 250K to raise a child till 18" come to that figure. Because, really, they don't seem to cost much at all. They eat less (and hopefully for free for at least the first 6 months), their clothes are smaller and cost less (though yes, they do need them more frequently). Depending on where you live (Aus ftw), public schooling can be good and free. Sure, when they get old they might piss and moan and "Want" various luxuries but that's the key isn't it - needs vs want. And by the age they start "wanting", typically the answer is "get a job".

kimcheekumquat 11y ago
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/140815102328-cost-of-child-1024x576.png http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/140815102328-cost-...

SamReidHughes 11y ago

> how in the world are they going to pay for a child for 18 years? How could you possibly infer that to be a problem via a plain reading or even an uncharitable reading? Having money in the bank account doesn't help your kids as much as having a house in the right neighborhood.

engi_nerd 11y ago

How are they going to pay for a child for 18 years? For many, the answer is "they don't". For the record I also agree with your last paragraph in full. As for myself... With my current resources, I could pay all household expenses for three months without being paid. And yes, I have the resources necessary to support my family. In short, I can afford to have this child. However, I choose not to take unpaid leave because, with a child, I have no way of knowing what unforseen expenses may arise (will he have a chronic condition that requires treatment that my insurance will only partially cover? Will my wife have a harder time than expected healing from her surgery and require me to take more time off from work?) I am trying, in my particular case, to protect that cushion of money and grow it as much as I possibly can. I also know, far more than most people, just how serious of a decision having children is. Because of medical issues for both me and my wife, we had to have IVF to even conceive, and our first IVF baby died at 21 weeks gestation.