7 ms·
They’ve done studies, and parents are dramatically happier than non-parents after the teenage years (when the kids leave). It’s a long term investment that pay
by thrav 5y ago
They’ve done studies, and parents are dramatically happier than non-parents after the teenage years (when the kids leave).
It’s a long term investment that pays dividends when you have nothing else you want to do with your life, but chill with your family.
- jldl805 5y agoThat's honorable of you to bring lives into this planet uninvited just so you aren't a little bored later.
- paulryanrogers 5y agoMaybe you meant involuntarily? Planned childbirths are certainly invited. Regardless, it would be selfish if the parent's sole motivation were to produce caregivers. IME many people deciding to have children aren't thinking only of themselves.
- lasfter 5y agoNo, they mean that the children did not consent to birth. It is selfish to have children whatever your motivation, because at some level you unilaterally decide that the suffering they will inevitably feel throughout their life is justified.
- paulryanrogers 5y agoThat assumes ones children will certainly suffer. And while some discomfort may be inevitable my experience is that many parents do consider the potential quality of life. Often consideration is both for their children and themselves. My friends and I certainly thought about it and discussed such things. Anyway, while children may experience good and bad things they'll also be free to decide if life is something they want to personally continue living or not. Many will also be free to choose whether or not to bring children into the world themselves.
- lasfter 5y agoCan you guarantee the children won't suffer? If not, then again you're unilaterally deciding the risk is justified. > they'll also be free to decide if life is something they want to personally continue living or not Really? It's okay to force people into existence because they are free to commit suicide? It seems like you could justify anything with this line of reasoning. "Why are you mad at me? If you don't like it, just kill yourself."
- paulryanrogers 5y ago> Can you guarantee the children won't suffer? If not, then again you're unilaterally deciding the risk is justified. Until we can communicate with the preborn is there anyone better to decide then the parents? > Really? It's okay to force people into existence because they are free to commit suicide? I believe people have the right to create life, to choose not create it, and full rights over their own lives. And if no one is ever justified to bring others into being then all life is the product of injustice. Anyway, my preference is to council people against suicide because it is such a permanent choice, and circumstances are often temporary. But ultimately to continue living is a choice.
- lasfter 5y ago> I believe people have the right to create life This is the crux of my disagreement with you, and you haven't really presented an argument for your position. > if no one is ever justified to bring others into being then all life is the product of injustice This is exactly what I'm saying. I've said why I believe it's unjust, and you agree with the core of my reasoning; that unborn children can't consent to their birth. If you have an argument for why that doesn't make procreation a moral harm then I'm all ears.
- hallway_monitor 5y agoThere's also this small matter of continuing the species, arguably your primary function...
- lasfter 5y agoWhy does continuing the species matter? What is the inherent good in that? As it stands you're just presenting an argument from nature.