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True, but people in poor countries have very different priorities when it comes to children. In many agrarian countries, a child is an extra hand that can work

True, but people in poor countries have very different priorities when it comes to children. In many agrarian countries, a child is an extra hand that can work after several years. Depending on the country, there is little to no expectations of education. By comparison, how many yuppies in SF would choose to have an additional child if it meant they couldn't pay for good education for them? Or if it meant raising 2 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment?

eaandkw 8y ago
I think that it is mostly about what the person values and what they are willing to sacrifice. If having children is a priority they will usually make the sacrifice. If not they will choose accordingly. As far as how a culture values their children you can have good parents and bad parents either way. Just because a child is raised on a farm and helps the parents out when they are capable doesn't mean that that is a bad life. They can still be happy and productive and live a good life.
- manfredo 8y ago
  I agree, but I think families are making that sacrifice by choosing quality over quantity. Families are choosing to have a single child and dedicate more resources towards raising him or her, rather than having multiple kids. And while it's true that one can't reliably quantify the quality of someone's childhood and subsequent life, the reality is that as countries develop and economies become more advanced the feasibility of having a productive life performing manual labor without much in the way of education reduces. Hence why developed wealthy places tend to have fewer kids and dedicate more resources towards them.
  - burfog 8y ago
    I think the quality of someone's childhood and subsequent life is partly determined by siblings. Even the miserable times with siblings, such as childhood fights, are teaching you. Later in life you have long-term connections with other human beings. These connections will likely survive even across career changes and long-distance relocation.
S_Bear 8y ago
I used to work in a small midwestern city with a large immigrant population. One day, one of my Sudanese customers came in somewhat distraught. I asked him what was wrong, and all he said was "In my old country, children were a blessing. In America, they are a burden."

eaandkw 8y ago

I think that it is mostly about what the person values and what they are willing to sacrifice. If having children is a priority they will usually make the sacrifice. If not they will choose accordingly. As far as how a culture values their children you can have good parents and bad parents either way. Just because a child is raised on a farm and helps the parents out when they are capable doesn't mean that that is a bad life. They can still be happy and productive and live a good life.

manfredo 8y ago
I agree, but I think families are making that sacrifice by choosing quality over quantity. Families are choosing to have a single child and dedicate more resources towards raising him or her, rather than having multiple kids. And while it's true that one can't reliably quantify the quality of someone's childhood and subsequent life, the reality is that as countries develop and economies become more advanced the feasibility of having a productive life performing manual labor without much in the way of education reduces. Hence why developed wealthy places tend to have fewer kids and dedicate more resources towards them.
- burfog 8y ago
  I think the quality of someone's childhood and subsequent life is partly determined by siblings. Even the miserable times with siblings, such as childhood fights, are teaching you. Later in life you have long-term connections with other human beings. These connections will likely survive even across career changes and long-distance relocation.

S_Bear 8y ago

I used to work in a small midwestern city with a large immigrant population. One day, one of my Sudanese customers came in somewhat distraught. I asked him what was wrong, and all he said was "In my old country, children were a blessing. In America, they are a burden."