4 ms·

Same here. I wouldn't say climate change would be the sole reason but it is up there.

by thehoff 5y ago

neals 5y ago
Care to share some other reasons? Just curious.
- melenaboija 5y ago
  Disparity, non sustainable economic model, fierce professional competition, capitalist lifestyle, way different values than mine for new generations (maybe I don't understand them but in my opinion worst values).
- dd36 5y ago
  Corruption, inability of Federal government to move the needle in the right direction anymore, disinformation, environmental destruction, everything is going in the wrong direction.
- thehoff 5y ago
  Financial is definitely the top one. I often wonder if our child will ever be able to afford a home. Are we saving enough for college considering how fast tuition is going up. Between my wife and I we definitely have good incomes but as we look for homes even we struggle to find something in our range. This also leads me to wondering if we will have some sort of great unraveling at some point and how this would affect ours. Another big one and I'm not sure how to put it but the general state of media. We see other family with their kids on various platforms and it just seems so much to keep up with and we're dealing with just Youtube at this point. Every few days we're getting told about something what was watched which brings up the inevitable discussion of everything that is online is not true and the follow on of "what are you watching". I do constantly remind myself that my fears are most likely what many parents experience in some form or another and that this is just another generation. But many times I do wonder if we would have chosen to have kids today if we waited.
  - jseliger 5y ago
    * Are we saving enough for college considering how fast tuition is going up* It's not obvious to me that the college system as it stands today and has stood for the last twenty years is going to be similar in twenty years. In Arizona, full-time community-college students pay under $2k/semester for school: https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/tuition-fees https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/tuition-fees. It is possible, even today, to pay relatively little for a four-year college degree. Most people prefer existence to non-existence, even if the cost of housing is high. https://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/0465028616 https://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/046...
- joeberon 5y ago
  For me there are three big reasons: * The pure stress of having a child, which I don't think I could handle, and the associated limitation on my own life due to that * Loss of any sense of social pressure and lack of any ideal that it is something I should do * I also can't escape the idea that for me it would be a fundamentally selfish act, I would only be doing it because I'm scared of regretting not doing it, which for me is reason enough to _not_ do it
  - rabuse 5y ago
    I'm the same in those views. It's not for me.
  - prawn 5y ago
    Prior to having children, I never thought ahead about being a parent. Didn't consider myself "good with kids", wasn't drawn to the idea. My wife was keen and I was keen (then and now) on her. It's never felt like a selfish act and always the absolute opposite. You make lifestyle sacrifices, and you become selfless - you will do anything for them. It's hard work, but it's exceptionally rewarding and gives me purpose. Telling your wide-eyed children about their world is just magic. I can't imagine anything else now and never regret it. I can appreciate how it might look from one side of the timeline, but step over the date of their birth and for any half decent parent, it's selfless IMO. Edit: I see from another comment that you have made a firm decision, so didn't want this to come across as criticism of your choice in any way; mostly wanted to address that "selfish/selfless" thing, and for anyone on the fence.

Same here. I wouldn't say climate change would be the sole reason but it is up there.

neals 5y ago

Care to share some other reasons? Just curious.

melenaboija 5y ago
Disparity, non sustainable economic model, fierce professional competition, capitalist lifestyle, way different values than mine for new generations (maybe I don't understand them but in my opinion worst values).
dd36 5y ago
Corruption, inability of Federal government to move the needle in the right direction anymore, disinformation, environmental destruction, everything is going in the wrong direction.
thehoff 5y ago
Financial is definitely the top one. I often wonder if our child will ever be able to afford a home. Are we saving enough for college considering how fast tuition is going up. Between my wife and I we definitely have good incomes but as we look for homes even we struggle to find something in our range. This also leads me to wondering if we will have some sort of great unraveling at some point and how this would affect ours. Another big one and I'm not sure how to put it but the general state of media. We see other family with their kids on various platforms and it just seems so much to keep up with and we're dealing with just Youtube at this point. Every few days we're getting told about something what was watched which brings up the inevitable discussion of everything that is online is not true and the follow on of "what are you watching". I do constantly remind myself that my fears are most likely what many parents experience in some form or another and that this is just another generation. But many times I do wonder if we would have chosen to have kids today if we waited.
- jseliger 5y ago
  * Are we saving enough for college considering how fast tuition is going up* It's not obvious to me that the college system as it stands today and has stood for the last twenty years is going to be similar in twenty years. In Arizona, full-time community-college students pay under $2k/semester for school: https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/tuition-fees https://www.maricopa.edu/future-students/tuition-fees. It is possible, even today, to pay relatively little for a four-year college degree. Most people prefer existence to non-existence, even if the cost of housing is high. https://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/0465028616 https://www.amazon.com/Selfish-Reasons-Have-More-Kids/dp/046...
joeberon 5y ago
For me there are three big reasons: * The pure stress of having a child, which I don't think I could handle, and the associated limitation on my own life due to that * Loss of any sense of social pressure and lack of any ideal that it is something I should do * I also can't escape the idea that for me it would be a fundamentally selfish act, I would only be doing it because I'm scared of regretting not doing it, which for me is reason enough to _not_ do it
- rabuse 5y ago
  I'm the same in those views. It's not for me.
- prawn 5y ago
  Prior to having children, I never thought ahead about being a parent. Didn't consider myself "good with kids", wasn't drawn to the idea. My wife was keen and I was keen (then and now) on her. It's never felt like a selfish act and always the absolute opposite. You make lifestyle sacrifices, and you become selfless - you will do anything for them. It's hard work, but it's exceptionally rewarding and gives me purpose. Telling your wide-eyed children about their world is just magic. I can't imagine anything else now and never regret it. I can appreciate how it might look from one side of the timeline, but step over the date of their birth and for any half decent parent, it's selfless IMO. Edit: I see from another comment that you have made a firm decision, so didn't want this to come across as criticism of your choice in any way; mostly wanted to address that "selfish/selfless" thing, and for anyone on the fence.